Maternity care providers' experiences using point-of-care ultrasound and/or continuous electronic fetal monitoring

*** UPDATE JULY 3, 2024 ***

Recruitment is still open for Physicians and Obstetricians. 

Sufficient responses for have been received from midwives for this study. 

Researchers at Western University are inviting Alliance members to participate in a study on maternity care providers' experiences using point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) and/or continuous electronic fetal monitoring (cEFM) in their care of pregnancy and childbirth. This study is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and is being conducted under the supervision of Dr. Jessica Polzer and Dr. Samantha Doralp, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University.

# Study goals

The goal of this study is to better understand maternity care providers’ experiences using PoCUS and/or cEFM. By gaining insights into your experiences with one or both of these technologies, my aim is to gain a more in-depth understanding of the contexts that influence maternity care providers’ use of these technologies.

# What does participation involve? 

Participation involves one interview, which may be conducted in-person, by Zoom, or by telephone. Each interview will last approximately 60-90 minutes and will be conducted at a time and location that is convenient for you. Interviews will involve open-ended questions about your experiences with PoCUS and/or cEFM, which will allow you to respond from your own perspective. Participants may be contacted for a second interview should further clarification of responses be needed.

# Who can participate? 

To capture a broad range of experiences and perspectives, I would like to speak with a variety of maternity care providers. You are eligible to participate in this study if you are:

1. a registered obstetrician, family physician, midwife, or practicing midwifery under the Exception for Aboriginal Midwives in Ontario;
2. have at least 5 years of experience as a maternity care provider;
3. and have experience using PoCUS and/or cEFM in your practice.

# What compensation will be provided? 

Participants will receive a $15 e-gift card from either Starbucks, Tim Hortons, Indigo, or Well.ca as a token of appreciation for their participation in the study. Minor travel costs (e.g., parking costs) up to $20 will also be reimbursed with presentation of receipt(s). Reimbursement of travel costs will be included in the e-gift card amount. Participants will receive their e-gift card within 2-3 business days of completing their interview.

If you have any questions about this study or are interested in participating, please contact me Grecia Alaniz at 289-775-8074 or galaniz@uwo.ca.