Client satisfaction with prenatal care and pregnancy outcomes

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Public Health
• Nursing Science

Background:

• Prenatal care models impact client satisfaction and health outcomes.
• Low socioeconomic status women may face barriers to accessing quality care.
• Evaluating different models of prenatal care is crucial for improving maternal and infant health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare client satisfaction and pregnancy outcomes between public health and multidisciplinary prenatal clinics.
• To identify factors contributing to client satisfaction in prenatal care settings.
• To assess the impact of different care models on infant health indicators.

Main Methods:

• Quasi-experimental study comparing two groups of low socioeconomic women.
• Risser Patient Satisfaction instrument administered to 124 women (62 per clinic).
• Postdelivery log reviews analyzed infant birth weights, Apgar scores, and gestational ages.

Main Results:

• Multidisciplinary clinic clients reported significantly higher satisfaction with nursing care (technical skills, teaching, interpersonal relationships) and clinic setting.
• No significant differences were observed in infant birth weights, Apgar scores, or gestational ages between the two groups.
• Nurse case management and barrier removal were linked to increased client satisfaction.

Conclusions:

• Multidisciplinary prenatal care models can enhance client satisfaction, particularly regarding nursing interactions and the care environment.
• Continuity of prenatal care is associated with positive infant outcomes, irrespective of patient satisfaction levels.
• Addressing barriers and implementing nurse case management are effective strategies for improving the patient experience in prenatal care.