HG medical therapies currently have limited effect, which creates a larger role for patient preferences in how HG care is arranged. This is the first study using in-depth interviews to investigate patients’ preferences and experiences of HG treatment.
We conducted individual in-depth interviews among women who had been hospitalized for HG in North Holland at least once in the past four years. We asked them about their experiences, preferences, and suggestions for improving the HG treatment they received. Researchers determined the sample size by reaching data saturation. Researchers identified themes from the analysis of the interview transcripts.
Researchers interviewed 13 women. Interviewees emphasized the importance of early recognition of the severity of HG, increasing caregivers’ knowledge on HG, early medical intervention, and nasogastric tube feeding. They valued a single room in the hospital, discussing treatment options, more possibilities of home-treatment, psychological support during HG and after childbirth, and more uniform information and policies regarding HG treatment.
The study concluded that further research is needed to establish whether the suggestions can lead to more (cost) effective care and improve the course of HG and outcomes for HG patients and their children.
Reference: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jp/2018/5378502/
