••• health care research

Moms-to-be express satisfaction with group prenatal care

In a qualitative research study with women participating in group prenatal care (GPC), the women and the mid-wives who assisted them expressed a high level of satisfaction with their GPC experience. (In GPC, eight to 12 pregnant women of similar gestational age meet with a health care provider to receive their prenatal check-up and education in a group setting.)

The study, as reported by authors Sarah D. McDonald, Wendy Sword, Leyla E. Eryuzlu and Anne B. Biringer in the journal BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, sought to gain insight into previously unexplored areas of the GPC experience, perceptions of processes that contribute to positive health outcomes, strategies to promote GPC and elements that enhance the feasibility of GPC.

Participants suggested benefits that contribute to positive health outcomes, such as learning from the group; normalizing the pregnancy experience; preparedness for labor and delivery; and improved relationships. They also cited concerns such as sufficient time with the midwife and other aspects which generally diminished with experience.

Suggestions for change focused on content, environment, partners and access to the midwives. Challenges to providing GPC included scheduling and systems-level issues such as funding and regulation.

In promoting GPC, women would emphasize the philosophy of care to other women and the midwives said they would promote the reduction in workload and women’s independence to colleagues.

GPC offers significant health benefits in comparison to traditional, one-on-one prenatal care. Women in GPC actively engage in their health care and experience a supportive network with one another.

The study collected data through three focus group interviews – two with women who had completed GPC at a midwifery clinic in Ontario, Canada, and one with the midwives at the clinic. Data was analyzed through open coding to identify themes.

••• seniors/mature

Seniors offer ideas to help them volunteer their time

As reported by Audrey Tan of The Straits Times, a Singapore focus group with senior citizens on volunteerism netted some helpful ideas for non-profits and other organizations looking to tap into seniors as a resource for volunteer help. Around 50 senior citizens discussed the problems they face in giving their time to a good cause and how to solve them during the two-hour session at the Social Service Institute at TripleOne Somerset. 

As might be expected, some seniors said that physically-taxing experiences requiring them to stand or walk for long hours may not be suitable. Others called for some form of compensation or recognition. Participants suggested letting volunteers try out the activity before committing to it, as a way to ensure a good fit between the cause and the volunteer. Additional ideas included matching seniors to volunteer work near their homes and offering volunteer opportunities with more flexible schedules. And, instead of tying volunteers down to an activity on a particular day for a certain length of time, the participants suggested a system through which non-profit groups would access a pool of volunteers, so that volunteers who were unable to make it could easily be filled in for.

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