rss
Qual Saf Health Care 2009;18:42-48 doi:10.1136/qshc.2007.023572
  • Original Article

“Choice” and place of delivery: a qualitative study of women in remote and rural Scotland

  1. E Pitchforth1,
  2. E van Teijlingen2,3,
  3. V Watson4,
  4. J Tucker3,5,
  5. A Kiger6,
  6. J Ireland7,
  7. J Farmer8,
  8. A-M Rennie7,
  9. S Gibb7,
  10. E Thomson9,
  11. M Ryan4
  1. 1
    Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
  2. 2
    Department of Public Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
  3. 3
    Dugald Baird Centre for Research on Women’s Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
  4. 4
    Health Economics Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK
  5. 5
    Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK
  6. 6
    Centre for Advanced Studies in Nursing, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
  7. 7
    School of Nursing and Midwifery, The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK
  8. 8
    Centre for Rural Health, UHI Millennium Institute, Beechwood Park, Inverness, UK
  9. 9
    Business School, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
  1. Dr E Pitchforth, LSE Health, Houghton Street, London School of Economics and Political Science, London WC2A 2AE, UK; e.pitchforth{at}lse.ac.uk
  • Accepted 3 March 2008

Abstract

Objective: To explore women’s perceptions of “choice” of place of delivery in remote and rural areas where different models of maternity services are available.

Setting and methods: Remote and rural areas of the North of Scotland. A qualitative study design involved focus groups with women who had recent experience of maternity services.

Results: Women had varying experiences and perceptions of choice regarding place of delivery. Most women had, or perceived they had, no choice, though some felt they had a genuine choice. When comparing different places of birth, women based their decisions primarily on their perceptions of safety. Consultant-led care was associated with covering every eventuality, while midwife-led care was associated with greater quality in terms of psycho-social support. Women engaged differently in the choice process, ranging from “acceptors” to “active choosers.” The presentation of choice by health professionals, pregnancy complications, geographical accessibility and the implications of alternative places of delivery in terms of demands on social networks were also influential in “choice.”

Conclusions: Provision of different models of maternity services may not be sufficient to convince women they have “choice.” The paper raises fundamental questions about the meaning of “choice” within current policy developments and calls for a more critical approach to the use of choice as a service development and analytical concept.

Footnotes

  • Funding: The research was funded by NHS Scotland RARARI.

  • Competing interests: None.

  • Patient consent: Obtained.

This Article

  1. Abstract
  2. Full text
  3. PDF

Responses

  1. Submit a response
  2. No responses published

Register for free content

The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.

Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.