It’s About Getting the Balance Right: Midwives’ Experiences with Using Communication Technology with Pregnant Women/People

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The convenience of asynchronous communication such as texting has enabled people to quickly communicate with others. Concerns have been identified around the quality of relationships that are developed during these interactions with respect to privacy and confidentiality of information, particularly within a health care context. This has potential implications on the way midwives use technology when communicating with their clients.

AIM: This article reports on how midwives find balance when using communication technology with their pregnant clients. This is achieved through balancing societal expectations on being connected 24/7 while maintaining their own work/life balance.

METHODS: This article reports on phase 2A of a multiphase study. Semistructured interviews with 14 midwives who use communication technology such as texting with their pregnant clients were conducted online using the platform Microsoft Teams. Interview data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

FINDINGS: The findings indicate that midwives are balancing how they use communication technology when communicating with their pregnant clients in three ways: (a) midwives are balancing the convenience of the technology with the relationships they develop with their pregnant clients within a continuity of care relationship; (b) midwives are balancing these communications while ensuring privacy and confidentiality of information; and (c) midwives are finding a balance between ensuring access for their pregnant clients while maintaining their own work/life balance.

DISCUSSION: Midwives recognized that there is a need to balance the convenience of technology with the relationships they develop with their pregnant clients. They are adjusting and adapting to ensure they are connecting but also mindful of challenges with ensuring privacy and confidentiality of information. Midwives have shown how communication technology is part of a solution in enabling them to communicate with their clients while maintaining a better work/life balance.