Improving Access to Oral Health Care: Integrating dental hygienists into federally qualified health center obstetrics and gynecology clinics in Michigan.

Dental hygienists (DHs) are well positioned to be part of primary care teams to increase access to oral health care, particularly for those who encounter barriers to oral care, such as pregnant people. The Michigan Initiative for Maternal and Infant Oral Health (MIMIOH) integrates DHs into obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) clinics in federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) to improve pregnant people's oral health. Evaluation of the MIMIOH program revealed that selecting DHs with personal characteristics desirable for integrated-care delivery was a major factor for successfully integrating DHs into OB/GYN clinics. Additionally, designing appropriate clinical workflows, gaining buy-in from prenatal health care professionals, presenting oral health care as part of prenatal care, having co-located OB/GYN and dental clinics, and maintaining adequate funding were all critical to program success. Analysis of Medicaid data showed that the MIMIOH model increased the percentage of pregnant people receiving oral health care at FQHC dental clinics. Innovative programs like MIMIOH add to the evidence that integrating DHs into primary care settings can increase access to oral health care, especially for those who face difficulties accessing the traditional oral health care system. There is great potential for DHs to leverage collaborative practice agreements and remote supervision to increase access to oral health care for the public. Providing DHs with autonomy to practice to the highest level of their scope of practice and permitting direct Medicaid reimbursement for DHs would make oral health care more accessible for underserved populations.

Impact of Telehealth on the Delivery of Prenatal Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Mixed Methods Study of the Barriers and Opportunities to Improve Health Care Communication in Discussions About Pregnancy and Prenatal Genetic Testing.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant changes in health care, specifically the accelerated use of telehealth. Given the unique aspects of prenatal care, it is important to understand the impact of telehealth on health care communication and quality, and patient satisfaction. This mixed methods study examined the challenges associated with the rapid and broad implementation of telehealth for prenatal care delivery during the pandemic. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we examined patients' perspectives, preferences, and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the aim of supporting the development of successful models to serve the needs of pregnant patients, obstetric providers, and health care systems during this time. METHODS: Pregnant patients who received outpatient prenatal care in Cleveland, Ohio participated in in-depth interviews and completed the Coronavirus Perinatal Experiences-Impact Survey (COPE-IS) between January and December 2021. Transcripts were coded using NVivo 12, and qualitative analysis was used, an approach consistent with the grounded theory. Quantitative data were summarized and integrated during analysis. RESULTS: Thematic saturation was achieved with 60 interviews. We learned that 58% (35/60) of women had telehealth experience prior to their current pregnancy. However, only 8% (5/60) of women had used both in-person and virtual visits during this pregnancy, while the majority (54/60, 90%) of women participated in only in-person visits. Among 59 women who responded to the COPE-IS, 59 (100%) felt very well supported by their provider, 31 (53%) were moderately to highly concerned about their child's health, and 17 (29%) reported that the single greatest stress of COVID-19 was its impact on their child. Lead themes focused on establishing patient-provider relationships that supported shared decision-making, accessing the information needed for shared decision-making, and using technology effectively to foster discussions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key findings indicated that participants felt in-person visits were more personal, established greater rapport, and built better trust in the patient-provider relationship as compared to telehealth visits. Further, participants felt they could achieve a greater dialogue and ask more questions regarding time-sensitive information, including prenatal genetic testing information, through an in-person visit. Finally, privacy concerns arose if prenatal genetic testing or general pregnancy conversations were to take place outside of the health care facility. CONCLUSIONS: While telehealth was recognized as an option to ensure timely access to prenatal care during the COVID-19 pandemic, it also came with multiple challenges for the patient-provider relationship. These findings highlighted the barriers and opportunities to achieve effective and patient-centered communication with the continued integration of telehealth in prenatal care delivery. It is important to address the unique needs of this population during the pandemic and as health care increasingly adopts a telehealth model.

The Successes and Challenges of Implementing Telehealth for Diverse Patient Populations Requiring Prenatal Care During COVID-19: Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Although telehealth appears to have been accepted among some obstetric populations before the COVID-19 pandemic, patients' receptivity and experience with the rapid conversion of this mode of health care delivery are unknown. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we examine patients' prenatal care needs, preferences, and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the aim of supporting the development of successful models to serve the needs of pregnant patients, obstetric providers, and health care systems during this time. METHODS: This study involved qualitative methods to explore pregnant patients' experiences with prenatal health care delivery at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted in-depth interviews with pregnant patients in the first and second trimester of pregnancy who received prenatal care in Cleveland, Ohio, from May to July 2020. An interview guide was used to probe experiences with health care delivery as it rapidly evolved at the onset of the pandemic. RESULTS: Although advantages of telehealth were noted, there were several concerns noted with the broad implementation of telehealth for prenatal care during the pandemic. This included concerns about monitoring the pregnancy at home; the need for additional reassurance for the pregnancy, given the uncertainties presented by the pandemic; and the ability to have effective patient-provider discussions via a telehealth visit. The need to tailor telehealth to prenatal health care delivery was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Although previous studies have demonstrated that telehealth is a flexible and convenient alternative for some prenatal appointments, our study suggests that there may be specific needs and concerns among the diverse patient groups using this modality during the pandemic. More research is needed to understand patients' experiences with telehealth during the pandemic and develop approaches that are responsive to the needs and preferences of patients.

Summarizing recommendations to eliminate weight stigma in prenatal health care settings: A scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: As the prevalence of obesity increases, more women are at risk of potentially experiencing weight stigma in prenatal health care settings. The objective of this scoping review was to summarize the primary literature assessing potential causes of weight stigma in prenatal health care settings and synthesize recommendations for health care providers to improve clinical practice. METHODS: A search strategy was developed combining the terms pregnancy, weight stigma, obesity, and prenatal care. A systematic search was completed in the following databases: Medline, EMBASE, PsycInfo, CINAHL, Opengrey, and Proquest. RESULTS: Eighteen resources were included in this review, of which 17 were qualitative, and one was a mixed-methods study design. Weight stigma occurred in prenatal health care settings when providers: avoided weight-related discussions, assumed lifestyle behaviors, and had poor communication when discussing risks associated with obesity. Recommendations to prevent weight stigma included: offering sensitivity training to discuss obesity during pregnancy, implementing a patient-centred approach, including evaluating individual health behaviors, and providing educational resources to patients explaining potential risks and referrals. CONCLUSION: This review summarizes recommendations to eliminate weight stigma in prenatal health care settings. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: These recommendations can be implemented in clinical practice and can improve the delivery of prenatal care.

Satisfaction of a new telephone consultation service for prenatal and postnatal health care.

AIMS: In October 2017, the 'Prenatal and Postnatal Health Care Service in Nara (PPHSN)' has piloted the introduction of a new telephone consultation service to support prenatal and postnatal health care and childcare. This study aimed to document the feasibility, acceptability and satisfaction with the service provided by a trained nurse specialist who can access to clinician support when necessary. METHODS: The pilot study was conducted between November 2017 and February 2018. Japanese women who are undergoing a health checkup at the Nara Medical University hospital for delivery and post-partum women who had recently (<1 year) given birth at this hospital (they are raising a child) were invited to participate in the study. They called a free mobile phone number, and spoke to a trained nurse to consult maternal and newborn care practices. The PPHSN project also provided information for supporting raising a child. The postal survey of the PPHSN service was conducted in March 2018. RESULTS: A total of 26 participants were enrolled. The questionnaire was answered by 23 (88.5%) participants, of which over half (52.2-95.7%) of participants declared they were 'strongly agree' plus 'agree' regarding 'patient-centered care', 'communication and information', 'technical quality', 'efficiency', 'access and convenience (feasibility)', and 'willing to use the service again (acceptability)'. The majority (95.7%) of respondents reported being willing to use the service again for a similar health problem. CONCLUSION: This study provided the first evidence of satisfaction with telephone or social networking consultation service by nurse specialists in Japan.

Associations Between ADHD Symptoms and Occupational, Interpersonal, and Daily Life Impairments Among Pregnant Women.

OBJECTIVE: Past research links symptoms of depression and anxiety with functional impairments among pregnant women. However, no prior research has examined the impact of ADHD symptoms among this population. The current study examines associations between ADHD symptoms and impairment in several life domains. METHOD: Self-report measures of ADHD symptoms, impairment, and demographic information were collected from 250 pregnant women at an urban women's health clinic in the Southeast. Data were assessed using multivariate path analysis. RESULTS: Inattentive symptoms were significant predictors of professional life impairment, daily life impairment, and relationship impairment. Impulsivity uniquely predicted variability in professional life impairment and relationship impairment. Hyperactivity was not a significant predictor. CONCLUSION: Future research should focus on the mechanisms by which inattention and impulsivity affect daily functioning in pregnant women, in addition to investigating potential interventions. Health care professionals should assess for impulsivity and inattention among pregnant women.

Percepción que tienen las gestantes sobre el cuidado de enfermería en la atención prenatal / Perception of the Pregnant Women about the Nursing Care in the Prenatal Services / Percepção das gestantes sobre o cuidado de enfermagem no atendimento pré-natal

Introducción: Favorecer la adherencia al control prenatal es necesario para mejorar la salud materno-perinatal. El cuidado humano que ofrece enfermería es determinante. Objetivo: Describir la percepción de las mujeres gestantes frente a las competencias técnicas, cognitivas y la capacidad de los profesionales de enfermería de dar cuidado humanizado durante la atención prenatal. Método: Diseño descriptivo de corte trasversal, que empleó una muestra de 150 gestantes, abordadas de manera secuencial, seleccionadas por conveniencia, provenientes de cuatro centros de atención distintos, adscritos a un hospital de Bogotá, Colombia, durante el periodo junio-agosto de 2013. Se empleó la Escala de Cuidado Profesional fundada en la teoría El cuidado para el bienestar del otro, que permite identificar las habilidades técnicas y de cuidado humano. Resultados: El cuidado profesional fue calificado como excelente; sin embargo, existen elementos del cuidado humano que deben reconocerse. La habilidad para permitir la expresión de sentimientos, la escucha y la atención sin reproches o críticas a las condiciones particulares de las mujeres son valoradas de manera positiva y pueden modificar la percepción de la competencia cognitiva del profesional. Conclusiones: Estos atributos del cuidado humano pueden ser determinantes en la adherencia al control prenatal y su importancia debe ser reconocida por los profesionales sanitarios.

Introduction: The human care provided by the nurses is a determining factor in the promotion of the adherence to the prenatal control, which is necessary to improve the maternal-perinatal health. Objective: To describe the perception of pregnant women about the technical and cognitive competences and capability of the nursing professionals to provide a humanized health care during the prenatal services. Method: This work has a cross-sectional descriptive design using a sample of 150 pregnant women. They were recruited sequentially and based on some convenience factors, from four different health care centers belonging to a main hospital in Bogotá, Colombia. They were recruited between June and August 2013. In this process the professional healthcare scale based on the theory Care for the Others Well-being was used, which allows to identify the technical and human care skills. Results: The professional health care was assessed as excellent. There are however some elements of the human care that should be highlighted: the ability to allow the expression of feelings; the listening and attention without reproaching or criticizing particular conditions in the women. These elements are valued positively and can modify their perception about the professional's cognitive competence. Conclusions: These attributes of the human care can be determining factors for the adherence to the prenatal control; therefore, the public health professional should recognize their importance.

Introdução: Favorecer a adesão ao controlo pré-natal é preciso para melhorar a saúde materno-perinatal. O cuidado humano que oferece a enfermagem é determinante. Objetivo: Descrever a percepção das mulheres gestantes frente às competências técnicas, cognitivas e a capacidade dos profissionais de enfermagem de dar cuidado humanizado durante o atendimento pré-natal. Método: Desenho descritivo de corte transversal que empregou amostra de 150 grávidas, abordadas de maneira sequencial, selecionadas por conveniência, provindo de quatro centros de atendimento diferentes, adscritos a um hospital de Bogotá, Colômbia, durante o período junho-agosto de 2013. A Escala de Cuidado Professional fundada na teoria O cuidado para o bem-estar do outrem foi usada permitindo identificar as habilidades técnicas e de cuidado humano. Resultados: O cuidado professional foi qualificado como excelente; no entanto, existem elementos do cuidado humano que devem se reconhecer. A habilidade para permitir a expressão de sentimentos, a escuta e o atendimento sim reproches ou críticas às condições particulares das mulheres são valoradas de maneira positiva e podem modificar a percepção da competência cognitiva do professional. Conclusões: Estes atributos do cuidado humano podem ser determinantes na adesão ao controle pré-natal e sua importância deve ser reconhecida pelos professionais sanitários.

Dose-response effects of the text4baby mobile health program: randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Mobile health (mHealth) is growing rapidly, but more studies are needed on how to optimize programs, including optimal timing of messaging, dose of exposure, and value of interactive features. This study evaluates final outcomes of text4baby (a text message service for pregnant and postpartum women) from a randomized trial performed in a population of pregnant female soldiers and family members. OBJECTIVE: The study aims were to evaluate (1) treatment effects and (2) dose-response effects of text4baby on behavioral outcomes compared to control (no text4baby) condition. METHODS: The study was a randomized trial of text4baby at Madigan Army Medical Center. Female military health beneficiaries who met inclusion criteria were eligible for the study. Participants provided consent, completed a baseline questionnaire, and then were randomized to enroll in text4baby or not. They were followed up at 3 time points thereafter through delivery of their baby. Generalized estimating equation models were used to evaluate outcomes. We examined treatment effects and the effects of higher doses of text4baby messages on outcomes. RESULTS: We report descriptive statistics including dosage of text messages delivered. The main finding was a significant effect of high exposure to text4baby on self-reported alcohol consumption postpartum (OR 0.212, 95% CI 0.046-0.973, P=.046), as measured by the question "Since you found out about your pregnancy, have you consumed alcoholic beverages?" The text4baby participants also reported lower quantities of alcohol consumed postpartum. CONCLUSIONS: Studies of text4baby have helped to build the mHealth evidence base. The effects of text4baby offer lessons for future scalable mHealth programs and suggest the need to study dose-response effects of these interventions.

Disparities in intimate partner violence prenatal counseling: setting a baseline for the implementation of the Guidelines for Women's Preventive Services.

Prenatal health care counseling is associated with positive health outcomes for mothers and infants. Moreover, pregnant women are considered a vulnerable population at risk of being victims of intimate partner violence. Pregnancy provides a unique opportunity to identify and refer women experiencing intimate partner violence to community resources; however, in prior research, most women reported that their prenatal care providers did not talk to them about intimate partner violence. Given the importance for providers to offer prenatal health care counseling on intimate partner violence, it is concerning that there is scant knowledge on Asian, Native Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islander mothers' experiences in this area. The study's objectives were (a) to determine the proportion of mothers who received prenatal health care counseling on intimate partner violence; and, (b) to examine racial differences of those who received prenatal health care counseling on intimate partner violence. Hawai'i's Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data from 2004-08 were analyzed for 8,120 mothers with information on receipt of intimate partner violence prenatal health care counseling. Overall, 47.7% of mothers were counseled on intimate partner violence. Compared to Whites, Native Hawaiians, Japanese, Chinese, and Koreans were significantly less likely to report receiving prenatal health care counseling in intimate partner violence, but the opposite association was observed for Samoans. Intimate partner violence continues to be a significant problem for women, thus, this study's findings may be used as important baseline data to measure the progress made given the implementation of the new Guidelines for Women's Preventive Services in intimate partner violence screening and counseling.

Initial outcomes from a 4-week follow-up study of the Text4baby program in the military women's population: randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The use of mobile phone technologies for health promotion and disease prevention has advanced rapidly in recent years. Text4baby is a theory-based mobile health (mHealth) program in which text messages are delivered to pregnant women and new mothers to improve their health care beliefs and behaviors and improve health status and clinical outcomes. Recent evaluations of Text4baby have found that it improves targeted health attitudes and beliefs, but effects on behavior have not yet been determined. OBJECTIVE: In this study, investigators aimed to evaluate Text4baby in the military women's population. METHODS: Investigators conducted a randomized controlled trial at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington, from December 2011 through September 2013. All participants were pregnant women first presenting for care at Madigan. Investigators conducted a baseline assessment using a 24-item, self-administered online survey of attitudes and behaviors related to Text4baby message content. Participants were randomized to Text4baby plus usual care (intervention) or usual care alone (control). Investigators analyzed treatment effects of Text4baby on short-term targeted outcomes 4 weeks post enrollment. RESULTS: For this study, 943 patients were randomized and completed a baseline assessment. The average patient age was 28 years and nearly 70% self-identified as Caucasian. 48.7% of enrollees (459/943) completed the first follow-up assessment. Higher rates of single and working/in-school patients dropped out of the intervention arm of the study, and we adjusted for this finding in subsequent models. However, while investigators were unable to re-survey these participants, only 1.9% of Text4baby enrollees (18/943) dropped the service during the study period. Adjusted and unadjusted logistic generalized estimating equation models were developed to assess intervention effects on measured outcomes. In the model adjusting for age, marital status, having had a previous baby, and race/ethnicity, there was a significant effect of Text4baby intervention exposure on increased agreement with belief in the importance of taking prenatal vitamins (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.08-3.34, P=.024). All of these attitudes had been targeted by at least one text message during the 4-week evaluation period examined in this study. In unadjusted models, there was a significant effect of intervention exposure on belief in the importance of visiting a health care provider to be a healthy new mother (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.01-2.31, P=.046) and in the health risks of alcohol during pregnancy (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.00-4.31, P=.05). No behavioral effects of the intervention were observed in this analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Text4baby is a promising program that offers lessons for future mHealth activities. This large-scale study demonstrated initial effects of the program on attitudes and beliefs targeted by the messages received by women during the study period. Results confirm previous findings from Text4baby studies and other mHealth research. Future analyses will examine dosage effects of the intervention on behaviors and clinical outcomes.