Exploring the applicability of the pregnancy and childbirth outcome set: A mixed methods study.

Abstract

The International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement developed the Pregnancy and Childbirth (PCB) outcome set to improve value-based perinatal care. This set contains clinician-reported outcomes and patient-reported outcomes. We validated the set for use in the Netherlands by exploring its applicability among all end-users prior to implementation. A mixed-methods design was applied. A survey was performed to assess patients (n = 142), professionals (n = 134) and administrators (n = 35) views on the PCB set. To further explore applicability, separate focus groups were held with representatives of each of these groups. The majority of survey participants agreed that the PCB set contains the most important outcomes. Patient-reported experience measures were considered relevant by the majority of participants. Perceived relevance of patient-reported outcome measures varied. Main themes from the focus groups were content of the set, data collection timing, implementation (also IT and transparency), and quality-based governance. This study supports suitability of the PCB outcome set for implementation, evaluation of quality of care and shared decision making in perinatal care. Implementation of the PCB set may change existing care pathways of perinatal care. Focus on transparency of outcomes is required in order to achieve quality-based governance with proper IT solutions.