Views of knowledge users on recurrent miscarriage services and supports in the Republic of Ireland: a qualitative interview study

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dc.contributor.authorHennessy, Maritaen
dc.contributor.authorDennehy, Rebeccaen
dc.contributor.authorMatvienko-Sikar, Karenen
dc.contributor.authorO'Sullivan-Lago, Riaen
dc.contributor.authorUí Dhúbhgáin, Jenniferen
dc.contributor.authorLucey, Conen
dc.contributor.authorO'Donoghue, Keelinen
dc.contributor.funderHealth Research Boarden
dc.date.accessioned2025-04-24T15:49:53Z
dc.date.available2025-04-24T15:49:53Z
dc.date.issued2025en
dc.description.abstractObjectives Women and men/partners who experience miscarriage often report poor care experiences within health services around the time of miscarriage and beyond; less is known about recurrent miscarriage (RM) care. Research is needed to explore the potential targets for improvement, in addition to identifying factors that support or hinder service improvement efforts and the implementation and/or sustainment of desired models of RM care. This study aimed to explore the views of knowledge users regarding RM services and supports; specifically: (a) practices and experiences and (b) facilitators and barriers to providing desired services and supports. Study design We adopted a qualitative study design underpinned by constructivism, incorporating semistructured interviews. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Setting Participants were recruited across the Republic of Ireland, incorporating perspectives from different geographical areas, hospital types and RM services. Participants We interviewed 13 women and 7 men/partners who had experienced ≥2 consecutive miscarriages, and 42 people involved in the delivery and/or management of RM services and supports, between June 2020 and February 2021. Results We generated three themes from the data: (1) dedicated staff; (2) dedicated space and time and (3) dedicated funding and support - prioritise RM. Our analysis supports the need for a standardised, dedicated and adequately resourced and supported service. One in which people experiencing RM are offered appropriate, individualised, timely and accessible care and support - beginning following the first miscarriage, and following a graded model. Implementation requires several multilevel actions, including prioritising RM care, adequately funding and resourcing services, enhancing health professional education and support, care coordination within and between hospitals and primary care and improving public awareness of, and addressing stigma surrounding, miscarriage. Conclusions Our analysis provides context to 'good' and 'poor' care experiences and identifies what facilitators and barriers exist to affecting change in RM care within healthcare and broader systems. In light of recent debates regarding how best to deliver RM care, and changing international guidelines, this work provides timely and important knowledge that should be harnessed to inform service improvement efforts in the Republic of Ireland and beyond. en
dc.description.sponsorshipHealth Research Board (ILP-HSR-2019-011)en
dc.description.statusPeer revieweden
dc.description.versionPublished Versionen
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen
dc.identifier.articleide094753en
dc.identifier.citationHennessy, M., Dennehy, R., Matvienko-Sikar, K., O'Sullivan-Lago, R., Dhúbhgáin, J. U., Lucey, C. and O’Donoghue, K. (2025) 'Views of knowledge users on recurrent miscarriage services and supports in the Republic of Ireland: a qualitative interview study', BMJ Open, 15(4), p.e094753. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-094753en
dc.identifier.doi10.1136/bmjopen-2024-094753en
dc.identifier.issn20446055en
dc.identifier.issued4
dc.identifier.journaltitleBMJ Openen
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10468/17327
dc.identifier.volume15
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherBMJ Publishing Groupen
dc.rights© 2025, the Author(s). Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ Group.en
dc.rights.urihttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.subjectHealth servicesen
dc.subjectPerson-centered careen
dc.subjectPregnancyen
dc.subjectReproductive medicineen
dc.subject~Obstetrics & Gynaecology - Journal articles~en
dc.subject~Public Health - Journal Articles~en
dc.titleViews of knowledge users on recurrent miscarriage services and supports in the Republic of Ireland: a qualitative interview studyen
dc.typeArticle (peer reviewed)en
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