Factors influencing the implementation of obstetric triage: a qualitative study

To identify factors influencing the OB triage implementation in Iran DESIGN: Qualitative study of conventional content analysis SETTING: A teaching tertiary referral hospital in Ahvaz, Khuzestan, Iran PARTICIPANTS: 37 professional midwives, nurses, gynecologists, and specialists of emergency medicine, and 6 patients MEASUREMENTS AND FINDINGS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted individually and face-to-face. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using conventional content analysis. Four overarching categories and nine themes emerged from the content analysis of the interviews and observations. Overarching categories were the guideline, individual, cultural and social context, and organization. The development and structure were themes of the guideline. Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors were related to the category of individuals. The cultural and social context included cultural and social changes. Implementation and monitoring strategies and executive infrastructure were organizational themes. Participants had differences and similarities in understanding influencing factors.

The guideline, individual, cultural and social context, and organization were key factors influencing the OB triage implementation in Iran. Some variety was detected between the different occupational groups' perceptions of influencing factors. Providing human resources and training and empowerment of them was the most significant factor influencing, which was acknowledged by almost all participants in all occupational groups.

Identifying the influencing factors from the perspective of all stakeholders can improve the process of OB triage implementation by eliminating barriers and enhancing facilitators.