Parents' experiences of using videoconferencing as a support in early discharge after childbirth.
OBJECTIVE
to describe parents' experiences of using videoconferencing (VC) when discharged early from a maternity unit.


METHODS
a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods was used to describe parents' experiences. Data were collected via questionnaires and interviews.


METHODS
a pilot study involving a maternity department and new parents in their homes was conducted. Through VC, parents discharged early were able to maintain follow-up contact with the midwife via sound and picture at the department.


METHODS
nine couples/new parents participated.


RESULTS
the analysis revealed four categories of responses: 'feeling confident with the technology'; 'feeling confident of having control of their privacy'; 'feeling confident being face-to-face on the VC'; and 'feeling confident when worries and concerns were met and answers were received'.


CONCLUSIONS
using VC as a support in cases of early discharge after childbirth can facilitate a meeting that makes it possible for new parents to be guided by the midwife in their transition into parenthood.


CONCLUSIONS
the findings of this study indicate that VC equipment may be helpful for parents discharged from hospital early after childbirth. The findings can also be used as a foundation for further development of the application of VC within maternal health care and in health care in rural areas.
Lindberg
Inger
I
Division of Nursing, Department of Health Science, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden. inger.lindberg@ltu.se
Christensson
Kyllike
K
Ohrling
Kerstin
K
D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008880:Midwifery / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D009775:Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D013548:Sweden; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods*; D049269:Videoconferencing