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UK midwives’ perceptions and experiences of using Facebook to provide perinatal support: Results of an exploratory online survey

Holly Morse Orcid Logo, Amy Brown Orcid Logo

PLOS Digital Health, Volume: 2, Issue: 4, Start page: e0000043

Swansea University Authors: Holly Morse Orcid Logo, Amy Brown Orcid Logo

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DOI (Published version): 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000043

Abstract

Seeking support from Facebook groups during pregnancy is now widespread and social media has been widely used by the United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS) maternity services to communicate with service users during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, little is currently known about midwives’...

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Published in: PLOS Digital Health
ISSN: 2767-3170
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2023
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URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63907
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Despite this, little is currently known about midwives’ attitudes towards, and experiences of social media in practice. Research is needed to understand barriers and solutions to meeting mothers’ expectations of online support and to improve services. This study explored midwife involvement in Facebook groups, exploring experiences and perceptions of its use to communicate with and support mothers. An online survey consisting of open and closed questions was completed by 719 midwives and student during August- September 2020. Quantitative questionnaire data was analysed descriptively using SPSS v26. Qualitative data gathered from free text responses was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Few participants were involved in providing Facebook support, and most of these were unpaid. There was a consensus on a range of benefits for mothers, but widespread concern that engaging with mothers online was a personal and professional risk, underpinned by a lack of support. Experience of being involved in midwife moderation increased belief in its benefits and reduced fear of engaging online, despite a lack of remuneration and resources. Midwives and students felt they were discouraged from offering Facebook support and sought further training, guidance and support. Although limited, experiences of providing Facebook group support are positive. Perceptions of risk and a lack of support are significant barriers to midwives’ involvement in using Facebook groups to support mothers. Midwives seek support and training to safely and effectively engage with mothers using Facebook. Engaging with mothers via social media is embedded in UK national policy and NHS digital strategy, and progress is needed to fulfil these, to improve services and meet mothers’ expectations. Midwives’ experiences suggest extending opportunities to provide Facebook support would benefit midwives, services and families. 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spelling v2 63907 2023-07-18 UK midwives’ perceptions and experiences of using Facebook to provide perinatal support: Results of an exploratory online survey 8df8195df203f2c484c13602a36a38e3 0000-0001-7408-3417 Holly Morse Holly Morse true false 37aea6965461cb0510473d109411a0c3 0000-0002-0438-0157 Amy Brown Amy Brown true false 2023-07-18 MDWF Seeking support from Facebook groups during pregnancy is now widespread and social media has been widely used by the United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS) maternity services to communicate with service users during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, little is currently known about midwives’ attitudes towards, and experiences of social media in practice. Research is needed to understand barriers and solutions to meeting mothers’ expectations of online support and to improve services. This study explored midwife involvement in Facebook groups, exploring experiences and perceptions of its use to communicate with and support mothers. An online survey consisting of open and closed questions was completed by 719 midwives and student during August- September 2020. Quantitative questionnaire data was analysed descriptively using SPSS v26. Qualitative data gathered from free text responses was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Few participants were involved in providing Facebook support, and most of these were unpaid. There was a consensus on a range of benefits for mothers, but widespread concern that engaging with mothers online was a personal and professional risk, underpinned by a lack of support. Experience of being involved in midwife moderation increased belief in its benefits and reduced fear of engaging online, despite a lack of remuneration and resources. Midwives and students felt they were discouraged from offering Facebook support and sought further training, guidance and support. Although limited, experiences of providing Facebook group support are positive. Perceptions of risk and a lack of support are significant barriers to midwives’ involvement in using Facebook groups to support mothers. Midwives seek support and training to safely and effectively engage with mothers using Facebook. Engaging with mothers via social media is embedded in UK national policy and NHS digital strategy, and progress is needed to fulfil these, to improve services and meet mothers’ expectations. Midwives’ experiences suggest extending opportunities to provide Facebook support would benefit midwives, services and families. Consultation to revise local policy to support midwives and students in line with strategic goals is recommended. Journal Article PLOS Digital Health 2 4 e0000043 Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2767-3170 Facebook, Midwives, Social media, Mothers, Medical Risk Factors, Pandemics, Social Communication, Surveys 17 4 2023 2023-04-17 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000043 http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pdig.0000043 COLLEGE NANME Midwifery COLLEGE CODE MDWF Swansea University SU Library paid the OA fee (TA Institutional Deal) Swansea University 2023-08-23T09:58:08.1630875 2023-07-18T15:33:51.6580737 Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences School of Health and Social Care - Public Health Holly Morse 0000-0001-7408-3417 1 Amy Brown 0000-0002-0438-0157 2 63907__28140__3adeed3b06674514aa9d97a0f576e9a0.pdf 63907.VOR.pdf 2023-07-18T15:55:19.5687890 Output 411971 application/pdf Version of Record true Distributed under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Licence. true eng https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
title UK midwives’ perceptions and experiences of using Facebook to provide perinatal support: Results of an exploratory online survey
spellingShingle UK midwives’ perceptions and experiences of using Facebook to provide perinatal support: Results of an exploratory online survey
Holly Morse
Amy Brown
title_short UK midwives’ perceptions and experiences of using Facebook to provide perinatal support: Results of an exploratory online survey
title_full UK midwives’ perceptions and experiences of using Facebook to provide perinatal support: Results of an exploratory online survey
title_fullStr UK midwives’ perceptions and experiences of using Facebook to provide perinatal support: Results of an exploratory online survey
title_full_unstemmed UK midwives’ perceptions and experiences of using Facebook to provide perinatal support: Results of an exploratory online survey
title_sort UK midwives’ perceptions and experiences of using Facebook to provide perinatal support: Results of an exploratory online survey
author_id_str_mv 8df8195df203f2c484c13602a36a38e3
37aea6965461cb0510473d109411a0c3
author_id_fullname_str_mv 8df8195df203f2c484c13602a36a38e3_***_Holly Morse
37aea6965461cb0510473d109411a0c3_***_Amy Brown
author Holly Morse
Amy Brown
author2 Holly Morse
Amy Brown
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institution Swansea University
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publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
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hierarchy_top_id facultyofmedicinehealthandlifesciences
hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
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hierarchy_parent_title Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
department_str School of Health and Social Care - Public Health{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences{{{_:::_}}}School of Health and Social Care - Public Health
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pdig.0000043
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description Seeking support from Facebook groups during pregnancy is now widespread and social media has been widely used by the United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS) maternity services to communicate with service users during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, little is currently known about midwives’ attitudes towards, and experiences of social media in practice. Research is needed to understand barriers and solutions to meeting mothers’ expectations of online support and to improve services. This study explored midwife involvement in Facebook groups, exploring experiences and perceptions of its use to communicate with and support mothers. An online survey consisting of open and closed questions was completed by 719 midwives and student during August- September 2020. Quantitative questionnaire data was analysed descriptively using SPSS v26. Qualitative data gathered from free text responses was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Few participants were involved in providing Facebook support, and most of these were unpaid. There was a consensus on a range of benefits for mothers, but widespread concern that engaging with mothers online was a personal and professional risk, underpinned by a lack of support. Experience of being involved in midwife moderation increased belief in its benefits and reduced fear of engaging online, despite a lack of remuneration and resources. Midwives and students felt they were discouraged from offering Facebook support and sought further training, guidance and support. Although limited, experiences of providing Facebook group support are positive. Perceptions of risk and a lack of support are significant barriers to midwives’ involvement in using Facebook groups to support mothers. Midwives seek support and training to safely and effectively engage with mothers using Facebook. Engaging with mothers via social media is embedded in UK national policy and NHS digital strategy, and progress is needed to fulfil these, to improve services and meet mothers’ expectations. Midwives’ experiences suggest extending opportunities to provide Facebook support would benefit midwives, services and families. Consultation to revise local policy to support midwives and students in line with strategic goals is recommended.
published_date 2023-04-17T09:58:08Z
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