Development of a mobile based digital partograph application and midwives' experience

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop a mobile-based digital partograph application and to evaluate the experiences of midwives. Materials and Method: The study was conducted with qualitative method. The sample consisted of 13 midwives working in the LDRP unit in Manisa City Hospital who volunteered to participate in the study. After the design, development and training of the Mobile Based Digital Partograph Application, the research data were collected by the researchers by face-to-face interview technique using the Individual Introduction Form, Mobile Application Usability Scale and Semi-structured Interview Form. In the analysis of the data, number and percentage distributions and content analysis with Maxqda 24 programme were used to analyse the qualitative data. Findings: It was found that the education level of the midwives participating in the study was mostly at the undergraduate level, their income status was equal to income and expenses, and they had a nuclear family type. It was found that all of the midwives who participated in the study preferred midwifery willingly, the majority worked in the delivery room according to their own wishes and all of them were satisfied with being a midwife. Three main themes related to the application experiences of midwives were formed. The main themes were determined as user-friendly and practical use, effective time management, quality midwifery care, and sub-themes belonging to the main themes were created. Conclusion: According to the results of the study, it was seen that the Mobile-Based Digital Partograph Application developed for midwives is a usable tool, data entries of pregnant women can be easily entered and followed, and the quality of care is improved. Keywords: Partograph, Digital Partograph, Midwifery Care, Labour, Delivery Room