Exploring the applicability of the pregnancy and childbirth outcome set: A mixed methods study

Abstract

Objective: The International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement developed the Pregnancy and Childbirth (PCB) outcome set to improve value-based perinatal care. This set contains clinician-reported outcomes and patient-reported outcomes. We validated the set for use in the Netherlands by exploring its applicability among all end-users prior to implementation.

Methods: A mixed-methods design was applied. A survey was performed to assess patients (n = 142), professionals (n = 134) and administrators (n = 35) views on the PCB set. To further explore applicability, separate focus groups were held with representatives of each of these groups.

Results: The majority of survey participants agreed that the PCB set contains the most important outcomes. Patient-reported experience measures were considered relevant by the majority of participants. Perceived relevance of patient-reported outcome measures varied. Main themes from the focus groups were content of the set, data collection timing, implementation (also IT and transparency), and quality-based governance.

Conclusion: This study supports suitability of the PCB outcome set for implementation, evaluation of quality of care and shared decision making in perinatal care.

Practice implications: Implementation of the PCB set may change existing care pathways of perinatal care. Focus on transparency of outcomes is required in order to achieve quality-based governance with proper IT solutions.

Keywords: Mixed methods; Obstetrics; Patient-reported outcomes; Perinatal care; Qualitative research; Quantitative research; Shared decision making; Value-based healthcare.