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‘Oh, I’ve got an appointment’: A qualitative interview study exploring how to support attendance at diabetes screening after gestational diabetes
Author(s) -
Dennison Rebecca A.,
Meek Claire L.,
UsherSmith Juliet A.,
Fox Rachel A.,
Aiken Catherine E.,
Griffin Simon J.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
diabetic medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.474
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1464-5491
pISSN - 0742-3071
DOI - 10.1111/dme.14650
Subject(s) - medicine , attendance , gestational diabetes , psychological intervention , thematic analysis , test (biology) , family medicine , qualitative research , diabetes mellitus , pregnancy , nursing , gestation , social science , paleontology , endocrinology , sociology , biology , economics , genetics , economic growth
Aims To explore the views of women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on suggested practical approaches to support diabetes screening attendance after GDM, which is recommended but poorly attended. Methods We conducted semi‐structured interviews with 20 participants in Cambridgeshire, UK who had been diagnosed with GDM and were 3–48 months postpartum. Interviews covered whether participants had been screened and why, plans for future screening and their views on potential interventions to facilitate attendance (at the first postpartum test and annual testing). Framework analysis was used to analyse the transcripts. The interview schedule, suggested interventions and thematic framework were based on a recent systematic review. Results Sixteen participants had undergone screening since pregnancy, explaining that they had an appointment arranged and wanted reassurance that they did not have diabetes. The participants who had not been tested were not aware that it was recommended. Only 13 had planned to attend subsequent tests at the start of the interview. Eight themes to support future attendance were discussed. The majority of the participants agreed that changing the processes for arranging tests, offering choice in test location and combining appointments would facilitate attendance. Child‐friendly clinics, more opportunities to understand GDM and the role of postpartum testing, stopping self‐testing and increasing their GP’s awareness of their pregnancy received inconsistent feedback. The nature of the test used did not appear to influence attendance. Conclusions The participants wanted to be screened for diabetes after GDM. We have identified interventions that could be relatively simply incorporated into routine practice to facilitate screening attendance, such as flexibility in the appointment location or time and sending invitations for tests.