Implementing digital sexual and reproductive health care services in youth clinics: a qualitative study on perceived barriers and facilitators among midwives in Stockholm, Sweden
Abstract Background Digital health care services have the potential to improve access to sexual and reproductive health care for youth but require substantial implementation efforts to translate into individual and public health gains. Health care providers are influential both regarding implementat...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-04-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-10932-1 |
| _version_ | 1797219928418287616 |
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| author | Linn Zettergren Elin C. Larsson Lovisa Hellsten Kyriaki Kosidou Anna Maria Nielsen |
| author_facet | Linn Zettergren Elin C. Larsson Lovisa Hellsten Kyriaki Kosidou Anna Maria Nielsen |
| author_sort | Linn Zettergren |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Digital health care services have the potential to improve access to sexual and reproductive health care for youth but require substantial implementation efforts to translate into individual and public health gains. Health care providers are influential both regarding implementation and utilization of the services, and hence, their perceptions of digital health care services and the implementation process are essential to identify and address. The aim of this study was to explore midwives’ perception of digital sexual and reproductive health care services for youth, and to identify perceived barriers and facilitators of the implementation of digital health care provision in youth clinics. Methods We performed semi-structured interviews with midwives (n = 16) working at youth clinics providing both on-site and digital sexual and reproductive health care services to youth in Stockholm, Sweden. Interview data were analyzed using a content analysis approach guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Results Midwives acknowledged that the implementation of digital health care improved the overall access and timeliness of the services at youth clinics. The ability to accommodate the needs of youth regarding their preferred meeting environment (digital or on-site) and easy access to follow-up consultations were identified as benefits of digital health care. Challenges to provide digital health care included communication barriers, privacy and confidentiality concerns, time constraints, inability to offer digital appointments for social counselling, and midwives’ preference for in person consultations. Experiencing organizational support during the implementation was appreciated but varied between the respondents. Conclusion Digital sexual and reproductive health care services could increase access and are valuable complements to on-site services in youth clinics. Sufficient training for midwives and organizational support are crucial to ensure high quality health care. Privacy and safety concerns for the youth might aggravate implementation of digital health care. Future research could focus on equitable access and youth’ perceptions of digital health care services for sexual and reproductive health. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T12:41:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-583af9a82b8847ce921f3741e2df172e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T12:41:26Z |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-583af9a82b8847ce921f3741e2df172e2024-04-07T11:12:43ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632024-04-0124111210.1186/s12913-024-10932-1Implementing digital sexual and reproductive health care services in youth clinics: a qualitative study on perceived barriers and facilitators among midwives in Stockholm, SwedenLinn Zettergren0Elin C. Larsson1Lovisa Hellsten2Kyriaki Kosidou3Anna Maria Nielsen4Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska InstitutetDepartment of Global Public Health, Karolinska InstitutetDepartment of Global Public Health, Karolinska InstitutetDepartment of Global Public Health, Karolinska InstitutetDepartment of Global Public Health, Karolinska InstitutetAbstract Background Digital health care services have the potential to improve access to sexual and reproductive health care for youth but require substantial implementation efforts to translate into individual and public health gains. Health care providers are influential both regarding implementation and utilization of the services, and hence, their perceptions of digital health care services and the implementation process are essential to identify and address. The aim of this study was to explore midwives’ perception of digital sexual and reproductive health care services for youth, and to identify perceived barriers and facilitators of the implementation of digital health care provision in youth clinics. Methods We performed semi-structured interviews with midwives (n = 16) working at youth clinics providing both on-site and digital sexual and reproductive health care services to youth in Stockholm, Sweden. Interview data were analyzed using a content analysis approach guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Results Midwives acknowledged that the implementation of digital health care improved the overall access and timeliness of the services at youth clinics. The ability to accommodate the needs of youth regarding their preferred meeting environment (digital or on-site) and easy access to follow-up consultations were identified as benefits of digital health care. Challenges to provide digital health care included communication barriers, privacy and confidentiality concerns, time constraints, inability to offer digital appointments for social counselling, and midwives’ preference for in person consultations. Experiencing organizational support during the implementation was appreciated but varied between the respondents. Conclusion Digital sexual and reproductive health care services could increase access and are valuable complements to on-site services in youth clinics. Sufficient training for midwives and organizational support are crucial to ensure high quality health care. Privacy and safety concerns for the youth might aggravate implementation of digital health care. Future research could focus on equitable access and youth’ perceptions of digital health care services for sexual and reproductive health.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-10932-1Youth clinicsImplementation researchMidwivesHealth care providersDigital healthTelehealth |
| spellingShingle | Linn Zettergren Elin C. Larsson Lovisa Hellsten Kyriaki Kosidou Anna Maria Nielsen Implementing digital sexual and reproductive health care services in youth clinics: a qualitative study on perceived barriers and facilitators among midwives in Stockholm, Sweden BMC Health Services Research Youth clinics Implementation research Midwives Health care providers Digital health Telehealth |
| title | Implementing digital sexual and reproductive health care services in youth clinics: a qualitative study on perceived barriers and facilitators among midwives in Stockholm, Sweden |
| title_full | Implementing digital sexual and reproductive health care services in youth clinics: a qualitative study on perceived barriers and facilitators among midwives in Stockholm, Sweden |
| title_fullStr | Implementing digital sexual and reproductive health care services in youth clinics: a qualitative study on perceived barriers and facilitators among midwives in Stockholm, Sweden |
| title_full_unstemmed | Implementing digital sexual and reproductive health care services in youth clinics: a qualitative study on perceived barriers and facilitators among midwives in Stockholm, Sweden |
| title_short | Implementing digital sexual and reproductive health care services in youth clinics: a qualitative study on perceived barriers and facilitators among midwives in Stockholm, Sweden |
| title_sort | implementing digital sexual and reproductive health care services in youth clinics a qualitative study on perceived barriers and facilitators among midwives in stockholm sweden |
| topic | Youth clinics Implementation research Midwives Health care providers Digital health Telehealth |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-10932-1 |
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