Contrasting views of staff and patients regarding psychosocial care for Australian women who miscarry: a hospital based study.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were to assess the psychosocial needs of women following miscarriage and to describe what changes should be made to improve their hospital care.

METHODS

One hundred and nine women were asked to complete a survey within one month of discharge from hospital following a miscarriage. The women were asked to describe their psychosocial needs, satisfaction with hospital care and type of follow-up care provided. The women also completed the Edinburgh Depression Scale and the General Health Questionnaire-12. Forty-three staff were asked questions relating to the psychosocial effects of miscarriage on these women, how the hospital experience could be improved for women, and barriers to providing adequate psychosocial care.

RESULTS

Seventy-five per cent of the women felt that their hospital experience could have been improved, particularly by a more considerate and sensitive attitude from staff. While staff agreed that the hospital experience could be better for women, they considered this would be best achieved by the provision of counselling, more privacy and additional staff. Results of the Edinburgh Depression Scale indicated that 44% of the women were either possibly or probably depressed, while the General Health Questionnaire-12 indicated that 57% were suffering some psychological distress.

CONCLUSION

It is clear that women and their hospital care givers want to see improvements in the care given to women who miscarry However, disagreement exists as to how this improvement can be best achieved.