Service Evaluation of an Early Pregnancy Loss Support Clinic in a London EPU-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

Service Evaluation of an Early Pregnancy Loss Support Clinic in a London EPU

Published:2024-03-14 Issue: Volume: Page:
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Author:

Anderson Michelle¹,Gluckman Gemma¹,Ajith Tara¹,Kirk Emma¹,Memtsa Maria¹

Affiliation:

1. Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Free Hospital

Abstract

Abstract Background: Early pregnancy loss (EPL) can have profound implications for physical and psychological health. In the UK, huge variation in service provision exists for women affected by EPL. There is very little guidance on what hospital-based follow-up support services should look like, and how these can be implemented and embedded into current care provision to meet the needs of women who experience EPL. This service evaluation (SE) reports on a newly implemented Early Pregnancy Loss Support Clinic (EPLSC) in an inner-city Hospital Trust. Methods: This SE gathered both quantitative and qualitative data to assess the value of a locally implemented Early Pregnancy Loss Support Clinic (EPLSC). Quantitative data were collected using the Short Assessment of Patient Satisfaction (SAPS) questionnaire and the Visual Anxiety Scale (VAS-A), both were administered to women attending the EPLSC. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews and consisted of four pre-determined themes based on EPL literature - physical health, mental health, role of the bereavement midwife and overall service user experience. Quantitative data was summarised using descriptive statistics and qualitative data was analysed deductively using Framework analysis. Results: A total of 127 women were invited to the EPLSC, with 110 (87%) attending, and 17 (13%) not attending their appointment. SAPS scores ranged between 21-28 demonstrating that women were either satisfied or very satisfied with the care they received in the EPLSC. Results from VAS-A scores found that 76 (69%) of women reported a decrease in anxiety immediately after attending the EPLSC, compared to 8 (7%) who reported no change or a small increase in anxiety. Qualitative results revealed women’s concerns around future fertility, the importance of emotional support and the value of connecting with the bereavement midwife. Conclusion: An EPLSC which focuses on providing emotional support and reassurance, especially in relation to future fertility, is important to women. Further rigorous evaluation on national disparities in EPL follow-up is urgently needed to assess the gaps in clinical care delivery.

Publisher

Research Square Platform LLC

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