What is it about?
There are many mobile telephone apps on the market to help women self-monitor aspects of pregnancy and maternal health. Our review aims to understand midwives’ perspectives on women self-monitoring their pregnancy using eHealth and mHealth, and establish gaps in research. Key databases (MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL and PsycINFO) were systematically searched on midwifery, eHealth/mHealth and perspectives. Qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods studies published in English were considered for inclusion in the review, without geographical limitations. Relevant articles were critically appraised and narrative synthesis was conducted. We found 12 relevant papers covering midwives’ perspectives of the use of eHealth and mHealth by pregnant women were obtained for inclusion in this review. Seven of these publications focused on midwives’ views of eHealth, and five on their perspectives of mHealth interventions. The studies included demonstrate that midwives generally hold ambivalent views towards the use of eHealth and mHealth technologies in antenatal care. Often, midwives acknowledged the potential benefits of such technologies, such as their ability to modernise antenatal care and to help women make more informed decisions about their pregnancy. However, midwives were quick to point out the risks and limitations of these, such as the accuracy of conveyed information, and negative impacts on the patient-professional relationship.
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Why is it important?
Post-COVID-19, where technology is continuously developing, there is a compelling need for studies that investigate the role of eHealth and mHealth in self-monitoring pregnancy, and the consequences this has for pregnant women, health professionals and organisations, as well as midwifery curricula.
Perspectives
Midwives need to be aware what apps and other e-health resources are commonly used by women they look after to be able to anticipate questions from women as well as to able to address misconceptions peddled on some of the less evidence-based apps .
Prof. Edwin R van Teijlingen
Bournemouth University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Midwives’ views towards women using mHealth and eHealth to self-monitor their pregnancy: A systematic
review of the literature, European Journal of Midwifery, September 2020, E.U. European Publishing,
DOI: 10.18332/ejm/126625.
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