Gestational diabetes & diabetes in pregnancy
The experiences of individuals who have had gestational diabetes: A qualitative exploration
Authors' conclusion
Findings suggest a demand for more supportive, person-centred GDM care, improved information provision and individualised implementation of clinical guidelines. Such mechanisms may support reduced barriers to accessing care or negative psychosocial impacts of GDM. Though not central to the identified experiences, digital health tools may help address the need for optimised GDM care.
Study context
- Population
- Adults receiving Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) care in Australia in the last 5 years, recruited via a national diabetes registry or social media, who responded to any of three open-ended questions
- Participants
- 815 open-ended question respondents
- Outcome
- Themes of GDM experiences
Methodological detailsonline survey, qualitative, thematic analysis, socio-ecological systems framework
- Online survey
- Qualitative
- Thematic analysis
- Socio-ecological systems framework
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- System level: (1) accessibility of care incl. value of digital health; (2) inflexible or inconsistent implementation of guidelines
- Interpersonal level: (3) health information provision; (4) supportive care; (5) experiences of stigma incl. desire for greater awareness of GDM
- Individual level: (6) differential barriers to accessing care; (7) negative emotional burden; (8) internalisation of stigma; (9) dietary freedom and social impact; (10) opportunity for change derived from having GDM
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
The experiences of individuals who have had gestational diabetes: A qualitative exploration. Diabet Med. Published 9 June 2024. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →