PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Hardman, Kitty
AU  - Davies, Anna
AU  - Demetri, Andrew
AU  - Clayton, Gemma
AU  - Bakhbakhi, Danya
AU  - Birchenall, Katherine
AU  - Barnfield, Sonia
AU  - Fraser, Abigail
AU  - Burden, Christy
AU  - McGuinness, Sheelagh
AU  - Miller, Rachel
AU  - Merriel, Abi
TI  - Maternity healthcare professionals’ experiences of supporting women in decision-making for labour and birth: a qualitative study
AID  - 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080961
DP  - 2024 Apr 01
TA  - BMJ Open
PG  - e080961
VI  - 14
IP  - 4
4099  - http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/4/e080961.short
4100  - http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/4/e080961.full
SO  - BMJ Open2024 Apr 01; 14
AB  - Objectives To explore and characterise maternity healthcare professionals’ (MHCPs) experience and practice of shared decision-making (SDM), to inform policy, research and practice development.Design Qualitative focus group study.Setting Large Maternity Unit in the Southwest of England.Participants MHCPs who give information relating to clinical procedures and pregnancy care relating to labour and birth and are directly involved in decision-making conversations were purposively sampled to ensure representation across MHCP groups.Data collection A semistructured topic guide was used.Data analysis Reflexive thematic analysis was undertaken.Results Seven focus groups were conducted, comprising a total of 24 participants (3–5 per group). Two themes were developed: contextualising decision-making and controversies in current decision-making. Contextual factors that influenced decision-making practices included lack of time and challenges faced in intrapartum care. MHCPs reported variation in how they approach decision-making conversations and asked for more training on how to consistently achieve SDM. There were communication challenges with women who did not speak English. Three controversies were explored: the role of prior clinical experience, the validity of informed consent when women were in pain and during life-threatening emergencies and instances where women declined medical advice.Conclusions We found that MHCPs are committed to SDM but need better support to deliver it. Structured processes including Core Information Sets, communication skills training and decision support aids may help to consistently deliver SDM in maternity care.Data are available on reasonable request. Data are available on reasonable request and subject to relevant ethical approvals.