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Australian Journal of Primary Health Australian Journal of Primary Health Society
The issues influencing community health services and primary health care
RESEARCH ARTICLE

From maternity paper hand-held records to electronic health records: what do women tell us about their use?

Glenda Hawley A E , Julie Hepworth B , Shelley A. Wilkinson A C D and Claire Jackson A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute (APHCRI) Centre of Research Excellence in Primary Health Care Microsystems, School of Medicine, Discipline of General Practice, The University of Queensland, Level 8 Health Sciences Building, Building 16/910, Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital, Herston, Qld 4029, Australia.

B School of Public Health & Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Qld 4059, Australia.

C Mater Research, Mothers & Babies Theme, Mater Health Services, Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane, Qld 4101, Australia.

D Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Mater Health Services, Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane, Qld 4101, Australia.

E Corresponding author. Email: glenda.hawley@uq.edu.au

Australian Journal of Primary Health 22(4) 339-348 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY14170
Submitted: 19 November 2014  Accepted: 2 April 2015   Published: 9 September 2015

Abstract

The paper hand-held record (PHR) has been used extensively in general practice (GP) shared care management of pregnant women, and recently, the first Mater Shared Electronic Health Record (MSEHR) was introduced. The aim of this qualitative study was to examine women’s experiences using the records and the contribution of the records to integrate care. At the 36-week antenatal visit in a maternity tertiary centre clinic, women were identified as a user of either the PHR or the MSEHR and organised into Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies respectively. Fifteen women were interviewed in Phase 1 and 12 women in Phase 2. Semi-structured interviews were used for data collection, and analysed using qualitative content analysis. Four main themes were identified: (1) purpose of the record, (2) perceptions of the record; (3) content of the record, and (4) sharing the record. Findings indicate that the PHR is a well-liked maternity tool. The findings also indicate there is under-usage of the MSEHR due to health-care providers failing to follow up and discuss the option of using the electronic health record option or if a woman has completed the log-in process. This paper adds to an already favourable body of knowledge about the use of the PHR. It is recommended that continued implementation of the MSEHR be undertaken to facilitate its use.

Additional keywords: antenatal, general practitioner (GP), Mater Shared Electronic Health Record (MSEHR), maternity, qualitative research, shared care.


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