eHealth versus equity: Using a feminist poststructural framework to explore the influence of perinatal eHealth resources on health equity

Abstract

Aims and objectives: To explore whether and how eHealth resources targeted to families during the perinatal period effectively reach a diverse population or further oppress marginalised groups.

Background: eHealth is often intended to reach a broad population, thus health content must be relatively generalised which limits the ability to tailor health education and interventions to individual needs. Generalisation of health information has historically represented a hegemonic depiction of the health consumer, especially within the perinatal period, often disregarding the diversity that exists in the world and perpetuating heteronormative constructs within healthcare systems as a result.

Design: A critical review of the literature regarding perinatal eHealth resources was conducted using a feminist poststructuralist approach for analysis. Included literature addresses the development, implementation and/or evaluation of perinatal eHealth resources.

Discussion: This approach uncovered hegemonic discourses related to the current state of perinatal eHealth resources. Nurses and midwives have the unique advantage of interacting and understanding diverse populations. Thus, nurses and midwives are integral to the development, implementation and evaluation of eHealth resources to reduce social health inequity.

Relevance to clinical practice: This paper acts as an exemplar on how to apply feminist poststructuralism to highlight inequities that exist and identifies strategies for nurses and midwives to become involved in the development of eHealth resources or advocate for greater visibility within current resources.

Keywords: feminism; feminist research; nursing practice; perinatal care; poststructuralism; technology.