Red flags and symptom checkers for self-diagnosis in maternity
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Red flags and symptom checkers for self-diagnosis in maternity: implementation of online health information for women to improve early recognition and treatment of perinatal complications
IRAS ID
253639
Contact name
Nicola Mackintosh
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leicester
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Rates of stillbirth and neonatal death are higher in the UK than in many other high income countries. Increasingly the important role of online pregnancy resources is recognized. Pregnancy apps are available through app stores, and health education programmes are now using digital platforms to inform women about early warning signs of perinatal complications and when to seek help. However there is concern about the quality of information available on the internet.We also know little about the role of digital resources play in helping (or potentially) hindering recognition and response to perinatal complications.
This project will ask:
1. Who uses digital resources, what for, when and why?
2. What are the different types of resource used? Do they help women decide whether to seek help (or not)?
3. How do these digital resources present risk and uncertainties, responsibilities and help seeking practices related to life threatening pregnancy complications?
4. What role do online resources play in the relationship between health care professionals and women? How do they affect the relationship?The study is a mixed methods case study design involving 3 work packages in 3 locations (Guy’s & St Thomas’s, University Hospitals of Leicester, Kettering District General Hospital):
1. Women on the postnatal wards will be asked to fill in a survey about their use of digital resources.
2. 20 staff and 30 women in total will be interviewed in depth.
3. Guided by women’s responses in the survey and interviews, a sample of digital resources will be selected and analysed.The findings will provide guidance for women, parent organisations, healthcare staff and policy makers on the design and use of these resources to enable early detection and treatment of perinatal complications.
The research is funded by SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity).
REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/WM/0002
Date of REC Opinion
18 Mar 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion