by Researchers from the City University of New York (CUNY) School of Public Health have suggested a new approach to measure the quality of reproductive health care. According to their study, which was recently published in BMC Women’s Health, it is essential to assess the patient’s perspective rather than relying solely on existing measures such as rates of unintended pregnancies.
Led by Associate Professors Meredith Manze and Heidi Jones, along with doctoral candidate Silpa Srinivasulu, the study involved interviewing 30 women between the ages of 18 and 45 in New York State. These women had visited a primary care provider within the past year. To gather data, the research team conducted virtual focus groups and in-depth interviews with the participants. The discussions focused on participants’ ideal clinic interactions, specifically when it came to preventing or attempting pregnancy. They also shared their opinions on how to measure the quality of these encounters.
The findings of the study revealed that regardless of whether the women were trying to conceive or prevent pregnancy, they desired care that was non-judgmental, respectful, and tailored to their individual needs and preferences. The participants expressed strong support for using the researchers’ definition of reproductive autonomy as a measure of quality of care.
Based on this support, the authors of the study recommend the development and testing of a new metric that evaluates patients’ perceived reproductive autonomy during clinical encounters. By adopting this approach, the focus shifts from stigmatizing individuals for their pregnancies to holding healthcare providers and systems accountable for delivering high-quality care that respects patients’ autonomy.
The researchers argue that unless we develop metrics to track the quality and effectiveness of reproductive health service delivery beyond the reduction of “unintended” pregnancies, blaming individuals for “poor” outcomes will continue. They emphasize the importance of addressing the structural facilitators and barriers that influence individuals’ ability to exercise reproductive autonomy and lead healthy lives with dignity.
Reevaluating how we measure the quality of reproductive health care is crucial for providing better experiences for patients. The traditional approach of solely focusing on rates of unintended pregnancies oversimplifies the complex factors that influence reproductive health. By considering the patient’s perspective and prioritizing their autonomy, healthcare providers and systems can work towards delivering high-quality care that meets their individual needs and preferences.
Moving forward, it is essential for researchers and policymakers to collaborate in developing and implementing new measurement tools that accurately capture the quality of reproductive health care. This will promote a more patient-centered approach that not only improves reproductive health outcomes but also ensures that everyone has the opportunity to lead a healthy life with dignity.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemicals and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc.
