[Psychosocial factors influencing the perinatal health care satisfaction of parturients].

OBJECTIVE

To give an overview of the main psychosocial factors influencing the perinatal health care satisfaction of parturients and present recommendations for good practice.

DESIGN

Original study.

SETTING

Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, Charles University, Prague.

METHODS

Qualitative methodology--content analysis of 189 childbirth narratives written by parturients and demi-structured interviews with 44 parturients.

RESULTS

Seven dimensions of perinatal health care satisfaction of parturients were identified: 1. staff attitude and behavior; 2. staff communication; 3. parturient's participation in decision-making; 4. support of early mother-baby contact; 5. breastfeeding support; 6. mother-baby friendliness of maternity unit operation rules; 7. clarity of maternity unit operation rules. The most important dimensions include empathy and psychological support, respect for privacy and feelings of shame, relational symmetry/asymmetry and quality of provided information.

CONCLUSION

Psychosocial aspects are a decisive criterion of perinatal health care satisfaction of parturients. Psychological competences of health care providers and staff make an inseparable part of their competence, with communication skills development and prevention and therapy of the burn-out syndrome deserving special attention.