Current Approaches to Following Up Women and Newborns After Discharge From Childbirth Facilities: A Scoping Review.

INTRODUCTION: The postpartum period is critical for the health and well-being of women and newborns, but there is limited research on the most effective methods of post-childbirth follow-up. This scoping review synthesizes evidence from high-, middle-, and low-income countries on approaches to following up individuals after discharge from childbirth facilities. METHODS: Using a systematic search in Ovid MEDLINE, we identified quantitative studies describing post-discharge follow-up methods deployed up to 12 months postpartum. We searched for English-language, peer-reviewed articles published between January 1, 2007 and November 2, 2022, with search terms covering 2 broad areas: "postpartum/postnatal period" and "surveillance." We single-screened titles and abstracts and double-extracted all included articles, recording study design and location, population, health outcome, method, timing and frequency of data collection, and percentage of study participants reached. RESULTS: We identified 1,654 records, of which 31 studies were included. Eight studies used in-person visits to follow up participants, 10 used telephone calls, 7 used self-administered questionnaires, and 6 used multiple methods. Across studies, the minimum length of follow-up was 1 week after delivery, and up to 4 contacts were made within the first year after delivery. Follow-up (response) rates ranged from 23% to100%. Postpartum infection was the most common outcome investigated. Other outcomes included maternal (ill-)health, neonatal (ill-)health and growth, maternal mental health and well-being, care-giving/-seeking behaviors, and knowledge and intentions. CONCLUSION: Our scoping review identified multiple follow-up methods after discharge, ranging from home visits to self-administered electronic questionnaires, which could be implemented with high response rates. The studies demonstrated that post-discharge follow-up of women and newborns was feasible, well received, and important for identifying postpartum illness or complications that would otherwise be missed. Therefore, the identified methods have the potential to become an important component of fostering a continuum of care and measuring and addressing postpartum morbidity.

Understanding and reducing inappropriate antibiotic use in the context of delayed prescriptions.

OBJECTIVE: Antimicrobial resistance is a global health threat perpetuated by the overprescribing of antibiotics in primary care. One strategy to reduce antibiotic use in this setting is delayed prescribing. However, several psychological factors might undermine its effectiveness. The aim of the study was to test whether different interventions aiming at helping patients to manage diagnostic uncertainty in the period of watchful waiting promote appropriate antibiotic use. METHOD: We conducted a preregistered online experiment (N = 690 adult participants from the United Kingdom) in which we modeled delayed prescription in a decision task with behavior-contingent incentives. Participants had either a fictional viral or bacterial infection and received interventions that aimed at facilitating symptom monitoring (i.e., passive monitoring) and engaging participants in the task (i.e., active monitoring). RESULTS: Both interventions decreased antibiotic use when the disease was viral. Active monitoring was more efficient in decreasing antibiotic use than passive monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: The findings have practical implications for managing uncertainty and fostering appropriate antibiotic use in delayed prescribing situations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Successful partnerships with third sector organisations to enhance the healthcare student experience: a partnership evaluation.

There is limited research surrounding academic partnerships and more research is needed to educate universities, and the private, public and third sectors about the benefits and limitations of such partnerships. The aim of this study was to outline the unique partnership between Macmillan Cancer Support and De Montfort University and to evaluate the progress of this partnership. A qualitative approach was employed which involved interviews with nine members of the partnership's steering group. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. The results showed that a partnership between a university and a third sector charity can have mutual benefits for all those involved, particularly for students and those affected by cancer. Furthermore, the module to develop volunteering among families affected cancer, created through this partnership is now being considered by other universities as a way of providing holistic and non-traditional lecture based learning experiences. Recommendations are made for future partnerships between third sector charities and universities.