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Shortcomings of Maternity Care in Serbia
Author(s) -
Arsenijevic Jelena,
Pavlova Milena,
Groot Wim
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
birth
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.233
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1523-536X
pISSN - 0730-7659
DOI - 10.1111/birt.12096
Subject(s) - maternity care , childbirth , payment , government (linguistics) , serbian , nursing , health care , medicine , position (finance) , quality (philosophy) , family medicine , business , pregnancy , political science , linguistics , philosophy , finance , epistemology , biology , law , genetics
Background Maternity care in Serbia is an integrated part of the centralized health care system inherited from the former Yugoslavia. Childbirth is often perceived as a medical event instead of a physiological process. This paper examines quality and access indicators, and patient payments for maternity care in Serbia. Methods We apply a method of triangulation using data collected through three sources: online questionnaires filled in by mothers who delivered in one of the maternity wards in Serbia in the period 2000–2008, research publications, and official guidelines. To compare the qualitative data from all three sources, we apply framework analysis. Results The results show a good network of maternity wards in Serbia. On the other hand, many women who gave birth in maternity wards in Serbia indicate problems with the treatment they received. The existence of informal patient payments and so‐called “special connections” make the position of Serbian women in maternity wards vulnerable, especially when they have neither connections nor the ability to pay. Poor communication and bedside manner of medical staff (obstetricians, other physicians, midwives, and nurses) during the birth process are also frequently reported. Discussion Actions should be taken to improve bedside manners of medical staff. In addition, the government should consider the involvement of private practitioners paid by the national insurance fund to create competition and decrease the need for informal payments and “connections.”