Evaluation of an Australian miscarriage support programme

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Reproductive Health
• Patient Support Services

Background:

• Miscarriage is a common and emotionally taxing event for women.
• Gynaecology units manage miscarriage care, often involving short inpatient stays.
• Limited inpatient time restricts nursing staff's ability to offer comprehensive support and information.

Purpose of the Study:

• To qualitatively evaluate a telephone follow-up service for women experiencing miscarriage.
• To assess the impact of this service on women's emotional recovery and inpatient experience.
• To inform the development of improved support and discharge planning for miscarriage care.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative evaluation of a telephone follow-up service.
• Service provided by gynaecology inpatient staff in an Australian public hospital.
• Data analysis focused on themes of emotional recovery, post-discharge support, and inpatient care.

Main Results:

• Miscarriage significantly impacts women's inpatient experience and emotional recovery.
• Telephone follow-up was a key component in assessing and addressing these impacts.
• Key themes identified include emotional recovery, post-discharge support needs, and the inpatient care experience.

Conclusions:

• Telephone follow-up services can effectively extend support to women after miscarriage.
• Findings will guide the enhancement of gynaecology inpatient services for miscarriage care.
• Improved discharge planning and ongoing support are crucial for women's recovery from miscarriage.