title: Postnatal gestational diabetes mellitus follow-up: Australian women's experiences.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Postnatal follow-up screening is recommended for all women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However follow-up rates are poor and highly variable in Australia and internationally. The reasons that mothers are not completing recommended postnatal screening after GDM diagnosis are not well understood or studied. The quality of communication may be an important influence on the completion of postnatal GDM follow-up.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore and assess women's communication experiences of postnatal GDM follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  Theoretical, purposeful sampling was used to identify women diagnosed with GDM. Convergent interviews explored participants' communication experiences with GDM and postnatal follow-up. Transcripts were provided to and updated by participants. Data was analysed with Leximancer(®) (V4, 2011) automated content analysis software.
  
  
  METHODS
  This research was conducted at a major tertiary referral hospital in Queensland, Australia, between December 2012 and July 2013. Women participating in maternity shared care and diagnosed with GDM were interviewed (n=13).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five themes, all concerned with obtaining information, were identified: diagnosis of GDM; seeking GDM information; accessing specialist services; need for postnatal GDM follow-up; and completing GDM follow-up. Results were interpreted using Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT) to explore whether and how the information needs of women were accommodated. Women's interpretations of communication events influenced their knowledge, perceptions and motivation to complete recommended postnatal follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Accommodation of the communication and information needs of women with GDM may be an effective strategy for clinicians to encourage completion of recommended postnatal GDM follow-up.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Level 9, Health Sciences Building, Herston, Brisbane Q 4029, Australia; School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. Electronic address: c.kilgour@uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kilgour
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. Electronic address: f.Bogossian@uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Fiona Elizabeth
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Bogossian
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Level 9, Health Sciences Building, Herston, Brisbane Q 4029, Australia; Obstetric and Internal Medicine, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Australia. Electronic address: l.callaway@uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Leonie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Callaway
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Behavioral Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. Electronic address: c.Gallois@uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Cindy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gallois
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003142:Communication; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D010465:Perception; D011181:Postnatal Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011793:Queensland
keywords: Communication accommodation; GDM women; Gestational diabetes; Maternity care; Postnatal