Health-Care Providers' Perspectives on Information, Care, and Support for Women With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Insights From a Qualitative Study.

OBJECTIVE

To explore healthcare professionals' (HCPs) experiences of providing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) care, education, and support, and their perceptions of how well women's and families' needs are addressed.

METHOD: A qualitative exploratory study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 10 HCPs from obstetric and diabetes outpatient clinics in Southern Denmark. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Four themes were identified: (1) benefits and limitations of a fixed GDM care system; (2) the influence of risk information, motivation, and partner support; (3) challenges related to culture, language, and health literacy; and (4) psychological and social aspects of GDM, including shock and stigma.

DISCUSSION: HCPs valued the universal multidisciplinary care model but described challenges in addressing individual and complex psychosocial needs.

CONCLUSIONS

While current GDM care supports high-quality treatment and prevention of complications, greater flexibility and patient-centred approaches are needed, particularly for vulnerable groups within universal healthcare settings.