Characteristics of mother-provider interactions surrounding postpartum return to work.
BACKGROUND
Many mothers with infants work full-time, yet little is known about communication between women and health care providers regarding returning to work (RTW).


METHODS
Survey data were obtained from a community-based sample of mothers returning to full-time employment within 4 months postpartum. Bivariate analyses (chi(2) and independent sample t tests) and multivariate logistic regressions were specified.


RESULTS
Eighty-three percent of mothers believed prenatal providers should discuss RTW, yet only 60% had such a discussion; 58% discussed RTW with their infants' provider. Black women (odds ratio, 2.6) and women in poverty (odds ratio, 3.6) more often reported having an RTW discussion with a prenatal provider whereas mothers with college degrees or higher (odds ratio, 2.7) more often had RTW discussions with their infant's provider. RTW discussions occurred < or =3 times and were felt to be only somewhat useful. RTW discussions infrequently centered on maternal health (19.5%) or infant health or development (35.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
Women want providers to initiate RTW discussions. Providers should be aware that race, poverty status, and level of maternal education impact a mother's odds of having an RTW discussion. Additional research is required to further delineate the content of RTW discussions and to determine the clinical value of RTW discussions.
Clinch
C Randall
CR
Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1084, USA. crclinch@wfubmc.edu
Grzywacz
Joseph G
JG
Tucker
Jenna
J
Walls
Jill K
JK
Arcury
Thomas A
TA
D000328:Adult; D003142:Communication; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D009657:North Carolina; D016017:Odds Ratio; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011203:Poverty; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D018582:Sick Leave