Exploring Australian knowledge and practice for maternal postnatal transition of care between hospital and primary care: A scoping review

Jennifer E Green; Nicole Ang; Ben Harris-Roxas; Kathleen Baird; Heike Roth; Amanda Henry

doi:10.1016/j.wombi.2024.101852

Exploring Australian knowledge and practice for maternal postnatal transition of care between hospital and primary care: A scoping review

Women Birth. 2025 Jan 2;38(1):101852. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2024.101852. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Jennifer E Green¹, Nicole Ang², Ben Harris-Roxas³, Kathleen Baird⁴, Heike Roth⁵, Amanda Henry⁶

Affiliations

¹ Collective for Midwifery, Child and Family Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia; Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia; School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia. Electronic address: jennifer.green@uts.edu.au.
² Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia; School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
³ Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia; School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
⁴ Collective for Midwifery, Child and Family Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia; Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia.
⁵ Collective for Midwifery, Child and Family Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia; Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia; School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
⁶ Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia; School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; The George Institute for Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.

PMID: 39752774
DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2024.101852

Abstract

Problem: Despite the significance of the perinatal period, postnatal care remains insufficient for optimising long-term health.

Background: The perinatal period is a vulnerable time in a woman's life-course health trajectory. Supporting transitions from hospital to primary care is essential to promote health and guide evidence-based follow-up care.

Aim: The aims are to (i) explore existing knowledge and practice in Australia regarding maternal postnatal transitions of care between hospital and primary care and (ii) understand the enablers and barriers to implementing optimal postnatal discharge and handover of care from the maternity to primary health setting.

Methods: A scoping review was conducted according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus and The Cochrane Library were searched using MeSH terms, subject headings and keywords. Full-text articles in English were included from 1st January 2010-8 th June 2024.

Results: Eighteen studies were included, 14 focused on care in specific states and four Australia-wide. Maternal postnatal transition of care between hospital and primary care varied. Critical components of care that were valued by women and healthcare providers and promoted effective care transitions were grouped into four concepts: "Woman-centred discharge planning and process", "Integrated care", "Follow-up care" and "Continuity of care". Discharge communication across Australian health services is diverse. Women and healthcare providers require clear discharge communication that highlights complications, guides follow-up and promotes continuity.

Conclusion: Australian postnatal transition between hospital and primary care is inconsistent and ineffective. Lack of robust handover between services hinders evidence-based follow-up care after postnatal discharge from hospital, particularly following pregnancy complications.

Keywords: Continuity of care; Discharge; Follow-up care; Hospital to home transition; Long-term health; Postnatal care; Scoping review.

Publication types

Review