Midwives’ perception of advantages of health care at a distance during the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland

Gemperle, Michael; Grylka-Baeschlin, Susanne; Klamroth-Marganska, Verena; Ballmer, Thomas; Gantschnig, Brigitte E.; Pehlke-Milde, Jessica

doi:10.1016/j.midw.2021.103201

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-23673

Publication type:	Article in scientific journal
Type of review:	Peer review (publication)
Title:	Midwives’ perception of advantages of health care at a distance during the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland
Authors:	Gemperle, Michael Grylka-Baeschlin, Susanne Klamroth-Marganska, Verena Ballmer, Thomas Gantschnig, Brigitte E. Pehlke-Milde, Jessica
et. al:	No
DOI:	10.1016/j.midw.2021.103201 10.21256/zhaw-23673
Published in:	Midwifery
Volume(Issue):	105
Issue:	103201
Issue Date:	Feb-2022
Publisher / Ed. Institution:	Elsevier
ISSN:	0266-6138 1532-3099
Language:	English
Subjects:	Telehealth; Video conferencing; Remote care; Perception; COVID-19; Midwifery
Subject (DDC):	618: Gynecology, obstetrics and midwifery
Abstract:	Objective: To explore midwives' perceptions of the advantages of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland. Design: Cross-sectional study based on an online survey using quantitative methods. Setting: Midwives working in Switzerland. Participants: Self-selected convenience sample of 630 members of the Swiss Federation of Midwives. Measurement Open questions on advantages of health care at a distance and workrelated characteristics were used in the online questionnaire. The information was coded and integrative content analysis was applied. Findings: A good half of the respondents associated telemedicine with either an advantage beyond the pandemic (“Reduced workload”, “Improved health care provision”, “Greater self-care of clients”), while the others saw a pandemic-related advantage (“Protection from COVID-19”, “Maintaining care/counseling in an exceptional situation”), or no advantage at all. Older, more experienced midwives were less likely to see an advantage beyond the pandemic. The motive “Reduced workload” was positively associated with professionals aged younger than 40 years and midwives with up to 14 years of professional experience, and “Protection from COVID-19” was more likely cited by midwives aged 50 and more and by midwives working solely in hospitals. Midwives who stated “Maintaining care” and “Improved health care provision” as motives to embrace telemedicine were more likely to experience health care at a distance as a positive treatment alternative. Key conclusion: Midwives’ perceptions of the advantages of health care at a distance vary substantially with age and years of professional experience, as well as workrelated characteristics. Further research is necessary to acquire a sound understanding of underlying reasons, including the sources of the general attitudes involved. Implication for practice: Understanding the differences in perceptions of health care at a distance is important in order to improve the work situation of midwives and the health care they provide to women and families. Different sensitivities represent an important source in the ongoing discussion about the future use of telemedicine in health care.
URI:	https://digitalcollection.zhaw.ch/handle/11475/23673
Fulltext version:	Published version
License (according to publishing contract):	CC BY 4.0: Attribution 4.0 International
Departement:	School of Health Sciences
Organisational Unit:	Institute of Occupational Therapy (IER) Institute of Midwifery and Reproductive Health (IHG)
Published as part of the ZHAW project:	Digitale Technologien in der Geburtshilfe Chancen und Grenzen bei gesundheitsbezogener Behandlung auf räumlicher Distanz
Appears in collections:	Publikationen Gesundheit

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Gemperle, M., Grylka-Baeschlin, S., Klamroth-Marganska, V., Ballmer, T., Gantschnig, B. E., & Pehlke-Milde, J. (2022). Midwives’ perception of advantages of health care at a distance during the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland. Midwifery, 105(103201). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2021.103201

Gemperle, M. et al. (2022) ‘Midwives’ perception of advantages of health care at a distance during the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland’, Midwifery, 105(103201). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2021.103201.

M. Gemperle, S. Grylka-Baeschlin, V. Klamroth-Marganska, T. Ballmer, B. E. Gantschnig, and J. Pehlke-Milde, “Midwives’ perception of advantages of health care at a distance during the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland,” Midwifery, vol. 105, no. 103201, Feb. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2021.103201.

GEMPERLE, Michael, Susanne GRYLKA-BAESCHLIN, Verena KLAMROTH-MARGANSKA, Thomas BALLMER, Brigitte E. GANTSCHNIG und Jessica PEHLKE-MILDE, 2022. Midwives’ perception of advantages of health care at a distance during the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland. Midwifery. Februar 2022. Bd. 105, Nr. 103201. DOI 10.1016/j.midw.2021.103201

Gemperle, Michael, Susanne Grylka-Baeschlin, Verena Klamroth-Marganska, Thomas Ballmer, Brigitte E. Gantschnig, and Jessica Pehlke-Milde. 2022. “Midwives’ Perception of Advantages of Health Care at a Distance during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Switzerland.” Midwifery 105 (103201). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2021.103201.

Gemperle, Michael, et al. “Midwives’ Perception of Advantages of Health Care at a Distance during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Switzerland.” Midwifery, vol. 105, no. 103201, Feb. 2022, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2021.103201.