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Recommendations from a NZ study which explored how communication technology used between pregnant women/people and midwives contributed towards sustainable quality maternal and newborn care
1
Otago Polytechnic, School of Midwifery, Dunedin, New Zealand
2
Auckland University of Technology, School of Clinical Sciences, Auckland, New Zealand
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A86
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Communication technology has become entrenched within society. While there are benefits in connecting quickly with another person, there are also concerns within a midwifery context when communication technology is unable to be used as intended.
OBJECTIVES:
This PhD research explored how communication technology was used between community midwives and pregnant women/people in NZ and how this contributed towards quality maternal and newborn care.
METHODS:
The research used a mixed method multi-phase sequential transformative design to guide the study. Data was collected in phase one using an online survey with midwives and pregnant women/people with results analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The findings informed questions for phase two of the study which used an online platform to conduct face-to-face interviews with midwives and pregnant women/people. Results were analysed using thematic analysis.
RESULTS:
Recommendations identified how communication technology can improve access to quality care. The geographical challenges faced by rural midwives and pregnant women/people in New Zealand as well as catastrophic climatic events highlighted the need for satellite phones and improved Telehealth services for enabling connections and access to care. This need for ‘real time’ support with colleagues via video technology when managing an emergency was vital for midwives working in rural regions. Having a sustainable way to practice ensures midwives remain in practice. A designated device for communicating with pregnant women/people is essential in maintaining a sustainable work-life balance as well as ensuring privacy of information.
CONCLUSIONS:
Access to communication technologies is essential and particularly in geographically challenged areas where physical access and connections to midwifery care may be more difficult.
KEY MESSAGE:
Effective communication technologies are essential for providing access to midwifery care and assist midwives to create a more sustainable work-life balance. This in turn supports the ICM theme of one million more midwives. Digital technology/AI 2
Communication technology has become entrenched within society. While there are benefits in connecting quickly with another person, there are also concerns within a midwifery context when communication technology is unable to be used as intended.
OBJECTIVES:
This PhD research explored how communication technology was used between community midwives and pregnant women/people in NZ and how this contributed towards quality maternal and newborn care.
METHODS:
The research used a mixed method multi-phase sequential transformative design to guide the study. Data was collected in phase one using an online survey with midwives and pregnant women/people with results analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The findings informed questions for phase two of the study which used an online platform to conduct face-to-face interviews with midwives and pregnant women/people. Results were analysed using thematic analysis.
RESULTS:
Recommendations identified how communication technology can improve access to quality care. The geographical challenges faced by rural midwives and pregnant women/people in New Zealand as well as catastrophic climatic events highlighted the need for satellite phones and improved Telehealth services for enabling connections and access to care. This need for ‘real time’ support with colleagues via video technology when managing an emergency was vital for midwives working in rural regions. Having a sustainable way to practice ensures midwives remain in practice. A designated device for communicating with pregnant women/people is essential in maintaining a sustainable work-life balance as well as ensuring privacy of information.
CONCLUSIONS:
Access to communication technologies is essential and particularly in geographically challenged areas where physical access and connections to midwifery care may be more difficult.
KEY MESSAGE:
Effective communication technologies are essential for providing access to midwifery care and assist midwives to create a more sustainable work-life balance. This in turn supports the ICM theme of one million more midwives. Digital technology/AI 2
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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