Problems with electronic Partogram system in the midwifery process

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to investigate the system-related problems that arise when using a computerized Partogram (hereafter referred to as “electronic Partogram” ) in the midwifery process.
The study used both qualitative and descriptive research designs. The research targeted 21 midwives in four facilities using electronic Partogram who took part in semi-structured interviews on details of problems with electronic Partogram.
Five categories were extracted as a result of the study：“difficult to comprehend the overall situation,” “divergence from midwives' thought processes,” “difficulty in immediate data entry,” “difficulty in real-time sharing of information,” and “lack of ICT-based system.”
It was suggested that alleviating or resolving the issues revealed by this study would require incorporating a format in the electronic Partogram that minimizes divergence from midwives' thought processes and facilitates comprehension of the overall situation of the patient. In addition, it was revealed that there is a need to optimize the use of ICT to support the midwifery process and to provide an input support function specifically devoted to improve the immediacy of data entry, so that practitioners can enter data in real-time while providing care.