Women's experiences accessing continuity of care in Ireland: a qualitative study

Background/Aims In January 2017, a continuity of care advanced midwife practitioner service was introduced in an Irish maternity unit. Continuity is central to high-quality maternity care, but little is known about it at an advanced practice level or about women's experiences of this model of caregiving. This study's aim was to provide insight into the experiences of women accessing a continuity of care service in Ireland. Methods A qualitative descriptive design and thematic analysis was used. A total of 11 women, who attended the advanced midwifery practitioner service and had experienced a different model of care in a previous pregnancy, were interviewed. Results Two themes were identified. Positive comparison to previous care, which had three subthemes, and access to the advanced midwifery practitioner, with four subthemes. Conclusions Continuity from an approachable and competent practitioner with time for discussion and unscheduled access to the service was rated highly. Participants wanted to ‘future proof’ the service and recommended that continuity of care needs to be available to all pregnant women and at the forefront of service development.