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What aspects of their child's primary care do mothers value? A qualitative analysis of perspectives of women in treatment for opioid use disorder
Author(s) -
Short Vanessa L.,
Alexander Karen,
Gan Meghan,
Abatemarco Diane J.,
Goyal Neera K.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
child: care, health and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.832
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1365-2214
pISSN - 0305-1862
DOI - 10.1111/cch.12811
Subject(s) - focus group , qualitative research , opioid use disorder , health care , grounded theory , medicine , psychology , family medicine , nursing , opioid , social science , receptor , marketing , sociology , economics , business , economic growth
Background Preventive paediatric healthcare is essential for infant and child health. Current research, however, suggests that the delivery of routine well child care (WCC) for children affected by maternal opioid use disorder (OUD) could be improved. How mothers perceive interactions with healthcare providers may help identify ways to modify the experience of WCC, which could ultimately improve healthcare utilization, patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes. The objective of this qualitative study was to assess perceptions of WCC among mothers in treatment for OUD. Methods Four focus group sessions of 4–8 participants each ( N = 22) were conducted. All study participants were receiving comprehensive behavioural and physical health support and care plus pharmacotherapy for OUD from a single outpatient treatment centre. Focus groups were semi‐structured, with a standardized set of open‐ended questions and follow‐up prompts to engage participants in a fluid discussion. Participants were asked to identify and discuss important aspects of their youngest child's WCC and what they liked and disliked about their child's WCC. Grounded theory analysis was used to identify themes. Results Several aspects of WCC were identified as important to the mothers. Main themes identified included (1) mother–provider relationship, (2) communication with healthcare team and (3) support for mother's OUD treatment. Participants discussed their desire to be heard and understood and wanted the entire healthcare team and clinic staff to see them as mothers first and foremost, not merely as individuals with OUD. Conclusion Future attempts to refine care may consider healthcare models that highlight open communication and personalized care and offer strong support and ongoing encouragement for the mother's OUD treatment and recovery process.