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Hagenbeck C, Soff J, Mause L, Hoffmann J, Ohnhäuser T, Stöcker A, Zöllkau J, Scholten N. Gynaecologists' perceptions of outpatient gynaecologic and obstetric care in Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:1079. [PMID: 37817213 PMCID: PMC10566176 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10045-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The measures taken to contain the COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on society, affecting medical care as well as the utilization of medical services. We aimed to identify pandemic-related changes in gynaecologic/obstetric care through the personal experience of practitioners in the outpatient sector in Germany. Three consecutive anonymous online surveys of practising gynaecologists were conducted during the pandemic (07-09/2020, 11-12/2020 and 09-11/2021). Appointment management, medical supply and patients' demand as well as concomitant circumstances were queried. Data from 860 (393, 262 and 205 from the first, second and third surveys, respectively) respondents were analysed. At the peak of the first COVID-19 wave, more than 50% of the gynaecologists surveyed had cancelled cancer screening appointments. There was a significant association between fear of self-infection and cancellation of cancer screening appointments (p = 0.006). An increase in domestic violence was reported by 13%, an increase in obesity by 67% and more advanced tumours due to delayed screening by 24% of respondents. Primary gynaecological oncological prevention was reduced in supply and demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this shortfall should be addressed in future similar situations. Prenatal care has been offered continuously since the start of the pandemic in Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Hagenbeck
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Johannes Soff
- Faculty of Human Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Institute of Medical Sociology, Health Services Research, and Rehabilitation Science, University of Cologne, Eupener Str. 129, 50933, Köln, Germany
| | - Laura Mause
- Faculty of Human Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Institute of Medical Sociology, Health Services Research, and Rehabilitation Science, University of Cologne, Eupener Str. 129, 50933, Köln, Germany
| | - Jan Hoffmann
- Faculty of Human Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Institute of Medical Sociology, Health Services Research, and Rehabilitation Science, University of Cologne, Eupener Str. 129, 50933, Köln, Germany
| | - Tim Ohnhäuser
- Faculty of Human Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Institute of Medical Sociology, Health Services Research, and Rehabilitation Science, University of Cologne, Eupener Str. 129, 50933, Köln, Germany
| | - Arno Stöcker
- Faculty of Human Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Institute of Medical Sociology, Health Services Research, and Rehabilitation Science, University of Cologne, Eupener Str. 129, 50933, Köln, Germany
| | - Janine Zöllkau
- Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - Nadine Scholten
- Faculty of Human Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Institute of Medical Sociology, Health Services Research, and Rehabilitation Science, University of Cologne, Eupener Str. 129, 50933, Köln, Germany
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Witt WP, Harlaar N, Palmer A. The Impact of COVID-19 on Pregnant Women and Children: Recommendations for Health Promotion. Am J Health Promot 2023; 37:282-288. [PMID: 36646662 DOI: 10.1177/08901171221140641e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 continues to have severe repercussions on children and pregnant women. The repercussions include not only the direct impact of COVID-19 (ie, children getting infected by COVID-19) but also indirect impacts (eg, safeguarding from child maltreatment, obesogenic behaviors, language and socioemotional development, educational consequences [eg, interrupted learning]; social isolation; mental health; behavioral health [eg, increased substance use in adolescence]; health and economic impact of COVID-19 on caregivers and family relationships. It has also shed light on long-standing structural and socioeconomic issues, including equity in nutrition and food security, housing, childcare, and internet access. Using a socioecological, life course, and population health approach, we discuss the implications for pregnant women and children's health and well-being and give recommendations for mitigating the short and long-term deleterious impact COVID- 19 on women, children, and their families.
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Fazal F, Ur Rehman ME, Fatima S, Sial SS, saleem T, Basit J, haider T, Saeed S, Mustafa H. Learning from challenges to maternal health during COVID Era; Perspective from Pakistan. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2022; 82:104682. [PMID: 36124214 PMCID: PMC9476358 DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Schmiedhofer M, Derksen C, Dietl JE, Häussler F, Louwen F, Hüner B, Reister F, Strametz R, Lippke S. Birthing under the Condition of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Germany: Interviews with Mothers, Partners, and Obstetric Health Care Workers. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:ijerph19031486. [PMID: 35162509 PMCID: PMC8835455 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic and the necessary containment measures challenge obstetric care. Support persons were excluded while protection measures burdened and disrupted the professionals' ability to care and communicate. The objective of this study was to explore the first-hand experience of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mothers, their partners, and obstetric professionals regarding birth and obstetric care in a university hospital. METHODS To answer the descriptive research questions, we conducted a qualitative content analysis using a data triangulation approach. We carried out 35 semi-structured interviews with two stratified purposive samples. Sample one consisted of 25 mothers who had given birth during the pandemic and five partners. Sample two included 10 obstetric professionals whose insights complemented the research findings and contributed to data validation. Participants were recruited from the study sample of a larger project on patient safety from two German university hospitals from February to August 2021. The study was approved by two ethics committees and informed consent was obtained. RESULTS Mothers complied with the rules, but felt socially isolated and insecure, especially before transfer to the delivery room. The staff equally reported burdens from their professional perspective: They tried to make up for the lack of partner and social contacts but could not live up to their usual professional standards. The exclusion of partners was seen critically, but necessary to contain the pandemic. The undisturbed time for bonding in the maternity ward was considered positive by both mothers and professionals. CONCLUSION The negative effects of risk mitigation measures on childbirth are to be considered carefully when containment measures are applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Schmiedhofer
- German Coalition for Patient Safety (Aktionsbündnis Patientensicherheit), 10179 Berlin, Germany; (J.E.D.); (F.H.); (R.S.)
- Department of Psychology & Methods, Jacobs University Bremen GmbH, 28759 Bremen, Germany; (C.D.); (S.L.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Christina Derksen
- Department of Psychology & Methods, Jacobs University Bremen GmbH, 28759 Bremen, Germany; (C.D.); (S.L.)
| | - Johanna Elisa Dietl
- German Coalition for Patient Safety (Aktionsbündnis Patientensicherheit), 10179 Berlin, Germany; (J.E.D.); (F.H.); (R.S.)
- Department of Psychology & Methods, Jacobs University Bremen GmbH, 28759 Bremen, Germany; (C.D.); (S.L.)
| | - Freya Häussler
- German Coalition for Patient Safety (Aktionsbündnis Patientensicherheit), 10179 Berlin, Germany; (J.E.D.); (F.H.); (R.S.)
| | - Frank Louwen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Division of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany;
| | - Beate Hüner
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Ulm, 89070 Ulm, Germany; (B.H.); (F.R.)
| | - Frank Reister
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Ulm, 89070 Ulm, Germany; (B.H.); (F.R.)
| | - Reinhard Strametz
- German Coalition for Patient Safety (Aktionsbündnis Patientensicherheit), 10179 Berlin, Germany; (J.E.D.); (F.H.); (R.S.)
- Wiesbaden Business School, Rhein Main University of Applied Science, 65183 Wiesbaden, Germany
| | - Sonia Lippke
- Department of Psychology & Methods, Jacobs University Bremen GmbH, 28759 Bremen, Germany; (C.D.); (S.L.)
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