Interaction between the Health Care Team and Women in their Birth Experiences: Scoping Review

Abstract

Introduction. This study aimed to explore the influence of healthcare professionals’ interaction on the experiences of women who underwent institutional childbirth within the domain of «care experience» as defined by the World Health Organization’s Quality of Care Framework for Maternal and Neonatal Health. Methods. A scoping review was conducted through a search across ten electronic databases. The terms employed included «patient satisfaction», «experiences», «satisfaction», «delivery, obstetric», «labor, obstetric», and «parturition». Literature in both English and Spanish was considered. A specific kappa index of 0.881 was obtained [95% CI between 0.821-0.942]. Results. Thirty full-text documents were reviewed, identifying four emerging dimensions: caregiver-woman relational bond, women’s autonomy, individual precedents, and assessment of the experience. Studies were mapped according to the dimensions of the care experience outlined in the WHO’s Quality of Care Framework: Effective communication, Respect and preservation of dignity, and Emotional support. Conclusions. The healthcare professional-woman interaction emerges as a facilitating element for a positive experience when professionals incorporate compassionate care and encouragement of autonomy into their role. The occupational health of healthcare professionals should be considered, as its acknowledgment will contribute to advancing the development of a better childbirth experience.