Morse Holly, Brown Amy
Department of Public Health, Policy and Social Sciences, Swansea University, Wales, United Kingdom.
Centre for Lactation, Infant Feeding and Translation research (LIFT), Swansea University, Wales, United Kingdom.
PLOS Digit Health. 2023 Apr 17;2(4):e0000043. doi: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000043. eCollection 2023 Apr.
Seeking support from Facebook groups during pregnancy is now widespread and social media has been widely used by the United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS) maternity services to communicate with service users during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, little is currently known about midwives' attitudes towards, and experiences of social media in practice. Research is needed to understand barriers and solutions to meeting mothers' expectations of online support and to improve services. This study explored midwife involvement in Facebook groups, exploring experiences and perceptions of its use to communicate with and support mothers. An online survey consisting of open and closed questions was completed by 719 midwives and student during August- September 2020. Quantitative questionnaire data was analysed descriptively using SPSS v26. Qualitative data gathered from free text responses was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Few participants were involved in providing Facebook support, and most of these were unpaid. There was a consensus on a range of benefits for mothers, but widespread concern that engaging with mothers online was a personal and professional risk, underpinned by a lack of support. Experience of being involved in midwife moderation increased belief in its benefits and reduced fear of engaging online, despite a lack of renumeration and resources. Midwives and students felt they were discouraged from offering Facebook support and sought further training, guidance and support. Although limited, experiences of providing Facebook group support are positive. Perceptions of risk and a lack of support are significant barriers to midwives' involvement in using Facebook groups to support mothers. Midwives seek support and training to safely and effectively engage with mothers using Facebook. Engaging with mothers via social media is embedded in UK national policy and NHS digital strategy, and progress is needed to fulfil these, to improve services and meet mothers' expectations. Midwives' experiences suggest extending opportunities to provide Facebook support would benefit midwives, services and families. Consultation to revise local policy to support midwives and students in line with strategic goals is recommended.
孕期在脸书群组寻求支持如今已很普遍，在新冠疫情期间，英国国家医疗服务体系（NHS）的产科服务广泛使用社交媒体与服务使用者沟通。尽管如此，目前对于助产士在实际工作中对社交媒体的态度及体验知之甚少。需要开展研究以了解满足母亲对在线支持期望的障碍及解决办法，从而改善服务。本研究探讨了助产士参与脸书群组的情况，探究其利用该群组与母亲沟通及提供支持的体验和看法。2020年8月至9月期间，719名助产士和学生完成了一项包含开放式和封闭式问题的在线调查。使用SPSS v26对定量问卷数据进行描述性分析。对从自由文本回复中收集的定性数据采用反思性主题分析。很少有参与者参与提供脸书支持，其中大多数是无偿的。对于母亲们有一系列益处已达成共识，但普遍担心在线与母亲互动存在个人和职业风险，原因是缺乏支持。尽管缺乏报酬和资源，但参与助产士管理的经历增加了对其益处的信念，并减少了对在线互动的恐惧。助产士和学生感觉他们在提供脸书支持方面受到阻碍，并寻求进一步的培训、指导和支持。尽管有限，但提供脸书群组支持的体验是积极的。对风险的认知和缺乏支持是助产士参与利用脸书群组支持母亲的重大障碍。助产士寻求支持和培训，以便安全有效地通过脸书与母亲互动。通过社交媒体与母亲互动已纳入英国国家政策和NHS数字战略，需要取得进展以实现这些目标，改善服务并满足母亲的期望。助产士的经历表明，扩大提供脸书支持的机会将使助产士、服务和家庭受益。建议进行磋商，以修订地方政策，使其与战略目标一致，从而支持助产士和学生。
