Using digital technologies and applications in midwifery practice in Belgium: A descriptive cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Midwifery Practice
• Healthcare Technology Adoption

Background:

• Digital technology use in healthcare and midwifery has surged over the last two decades.
• Limited research exists on digital technology adoption specifically within Belgian midwifery settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To map the utilization of digital technologies and applications by midwives across various Belgian healthcare settings.
• To assess midwives' comfort levels with these technologies.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive cross-sectional study surveyed 212 Dutch- and French-speaking midwives in Belgium.
• Data collected via an online questionnaire covered socio-demographics, employment, and digital technology use.
• Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Chi² analysis, and independent sample t-tests.

Main Results:

• 58% of midwives reported using digital technologies, with electronic health records (89.6%) and electronic prescriptions (65.6%) being prevalent.
• Remote patient monitoring was used by 51.2%, while sensor technology, mixed care, care robots, and wearable devices were rarely adopted.
• Midwives expressed high confidence in technology use; younger midwives and those with higher degrees showed greater comfort.

Conclusions:

• Digital technologies offer significant potential for enhancing midwifery care in Belgium.
• Optimizing technology integration through addressing barriers and improving usability can lead to personalized, high-quality perinatal care.
• Successful integration of digital tools is key to improving perinatal health outcomes.