Key result
Perinatal lifestyle intervention co-design prioritizes holistic care delivered by empathetic female clinicians.
Why the study?
To explore key stakeholder perspectives and co-design the design, content, and delivery of a lifestyle intervention to optimise cardiometabolic health during and after pregnancy for women at risk of or diagnosed with GDM and/or HDP.
Stakeholder engagement and a patient-centered approach are important when developing lifestyle interventions for pregnant and postpartum women at risk of cardiometabolic conditions.
Informs patient-centered lifestyle intervention design for at-risk pregnant women; leaves open effects on cardiometabolic outcomes.
OBJECTIVES: To explore key stakeholder's perspectives and co-design the design, content and delivery of a lifestyle intervention to optimise cardiometabolic health during and after pregnancy for women at risk or diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and/or hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). METHODS: Pre-implementation qualitative study using co-design workshops (n = 2) and semi-structured interviews (n = 6). Workshop discussions and interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed using template analysis. RESULTS: Women with prior cardiometabolic pregnancy complications (n = 11) and research partners (n = 13) participated. Participants reported liking that the intervention fills a healthcare gap and highlighted the importance of a holistic, user-friendly, patient-centred, culturally diverse approach to intervention design, content and delivery. Delivery by female healthcare professionals who utilise good risk communication skills, display empathy and understanding was recommended to empower and support women with the knowledge, resources and skills to take ownership of their health and reduce cardiometabolic risks. CONCLUSION: This research supported the co-design of a lifestyle intervention to reduce cardiometabolic risks in women at risk or diagnosed with GDM and/or HDP. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The findings demonstrate the importance of stakeholder engagement in intervention design and the need for a patient-centred approach when developing lifestyle interventions for pregnant and postpartum women at risk of cardiometabolic conditions.
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Osei-Safo et al. (2025) studied Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and/or hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) (n=24). Co-design of a lifestyle intervention was evaluated on Stakeholder perspectives on intervention design, content and delivery. Co-design workshops and interviews with 24 stakeholders emphasized the need for a holistic, patient-centred lifestyle intervention delivered by empathetic female healthcare professionals.
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