Background <p>Reduced fetal movement (RFM) is a pregnancy warning sign, linked to stillbirth, fetal growth restriction, and preterm birth. Pregnant women seek RFM information online before medical consultation. Due to the need for immediate assessment, quality is vital.</p> Aims <p>This study aimed to identify and examine RFM online information.</p> Methods <p>Webpage content from Google searches related to RFM was compared to 12 guideline recommendations. A thematic analysis of an Irish online pregnancy forum was conducted.</p> Results <p>Analysis of 48 unique webpages, including five from Ireland, found that most covered two recommendations and rarely covered RFM management. Consistent with the RFM guideline, 10% advised attending for care. 46% advised contacting the unit and 29% suggested calling. 46% of the webpages contained conflicting information, which could delay care. The forum searches yielded 21 unique results. Women expressed anxiety and confusion about monitoring movements and RFM management. Some felt healthcare professionals were dismissive of their concerns. The forum provided reassurance to mothers. Some information shared was inaccurate.</p> Conclusions <p>This study identified gaps in women’s knowledge about RFM and poor-quality information online. To address these issues healthcare professionals should implement the RFM guideline, warn women about online content, and provide women with a printed patient information leaflet. The Health Service Executive and hospitals should update their digital content for guideline alignment, utilise search engine optimisation, consider a public health campaign and request Google to prioritise ranking accurate webpages. Addressing these gaps is required to empower women to make informed decisions about their health.</p>

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Evaluating online information on reduced fetal movements: a mixed-methods study

  • Sarah Houlihan,
  • Anne-Marie Farrell,
  • Keelin O’Donoghue

摘要

Background

Reduced fetal movement (RFM) is a pregnancy warning sign, linked to stillbirth, fetal growth restriction, and preterm birth. Pregnant women seek RFM information online before medical consultation. Due to the need for immediate assessment, quality is vital.

Aims

This study aimed to identify and examine RFM online information.

Methods

Webpage content from Google searches related to RFM was compared to 12 guideline recommendations. A thematic analysis of an Irish online pregnancy forum was conducted.

Results

Analysis of 48 unique webpages, including five from Ireland, found that most covered two recommendations and rarely covered RFM management. Consistent with the RFM guideline, 10% advised attending for care. 46% advised contacting the unit and 29% suggested calling. 46% of the webpages contained conflicting information, which could delay care. The forum searches yielded 21 unique results. Women expressed anxiety and confusion about monitoring movements and RFM management. Some felt healthcare professionals were dismissive of their concerns. The forum provided reassurance to mothers. Some information shared was inaccurate.

Conclusions

This study identified gaps in women’s knowledge about RFM and poor-quality information online. To address these issues healthcare professionals should implement the RFM guideline, warn women about online content, and provide women with a printed patient information leaflet. The Health Service Executive and hospitals should update their digital content for guideline alignment, utilise search engine optimisation, consider a public health campaign and request Google to prioritise ranking accurate webpages. Addressing these gaps is required to empower women to make informed decisions about their health.