Improving the quality of childbirth care: a questionnaire-driven evaluation of women experiences.

Abstract

Introduction: Childbirth, regardless of its course, is one of the most significant events in a woman's life. In perinatal care, both medical aspects and the woman's needs for choice, information, and support are crucial. The fulfillment of these needs influences satisfaction, which is an element of care quality evaluation. The aim of this study was to analyze tools for measuring women's experiences in perinatal care, considering the subjective nature of satisfaction and factors affecting care quality.

Review methods: A literature review was conducted on validated tools and questionnaires used to assess patient-reported outcomes. Systematic searches in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases included keywords such as "satisfaction of care," "maternal satisfaction," and "questionnaires" in Polish and English. The analysis was part of research conducted within the doctoral dissertation of one of the authors.

Conclusions: Publications highlight the use of diverse measurement tools, ranging from general satisfaction surveys to specialized questionnaires. These tools address aspects such as the quality of communication with medical staff, pain management effectiveness, and respect for patient autonomy. However, most tools have not been adapted or validated for use in Poland. The importance of employing verified measurement tools in evidence-based practices and their role in improving patient-provider relationships was also discussed.