Preterm Birth is the number one cause of infant morbidity and mortality worldwide and represents an important health disparity in the United States, particularly across the state of Kentucky. The best biomarker for the prediction of preterm birth is transvaginal ultrasound (TVU). This study will attempt to identify and rectify provider and patient related barriers to TVU screening implementation.
Preterm birth is the number one cause of infant morbidity and mortality worldwide and represents an important health disparity in the United States, and especially across the state of Kentucky. The best biomarker for the prediction of preterm birth is transvaginal ultrasound (TVU) measurement of cervical length. However, several unique provider and patient related barriers for implementation of this screening limit the widespread uptake of this evidence based practice in Appalachian KY. The investigators propose to adopt a dissemination and implementation science approach using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) as the guiding framework for identification of key areas of knowledge deficits as well as attitudes, practices and perceived barriers among prenatal care providers and patients in eastern KY towards TVU cervical length screening using a mixed - methods design. This will be utilized to develop a multifaceted implementation strategy best suited for addressing and overcoming barriers identified by the target population in eastern KY. The investigators anticipate that such an implementation strategy will likely include an educational component targeting obstetric care providers and patients in addition to hands-on TVU cervical length evaluation as well as telemedicine support and surveillance. Three community based sites (Hazard, Morehead and Ashland, KY) will be recruited for implementation of this multi-component pilot program focused on community engagement and outreach targeting obstetric providers and their patients. At the end of the pilot implementation phase, acceptability of the study intervention and feasibility of implementation will be evaluated along with a preliminary assessment of effectiveness of implementation.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
56
Workshops tailored toward patients to increase knowledge about TVU screening guidelines and benefits.
Workshops tailored toward providers to increase knowledge about TVU screening guidelines and benefits.
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky, United States
Change in attitudes towards TVU screening among patients and practitioners
The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the change in attitudes towards TVU screening among patients and practitioners. This will be accomplished by conducting a qualitative interview with each participant at baseline and again at one year (after completing the CLEAR program workshop).
Time frame: At baseline and at one year.
Potential for future TVU screening implementation based on changes in attitudes towards TVU screening among providers and participants.
The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the change in attitudes towards TVU screening among patients and practitioners. This will be accomplished by conducting a qualitative interview with each participant at baseline and again at one year (after completing the CLEAR program workshop). Analysis of these interviews will aid in determining feasibility of implementing a future TVU screening component in Obstetric and Gynecologic care.
Time frame: At baseline and at one year.
Rate of preterm birth at <34 weeks gestation
Subjects (patients) included in this study will be followed to determine rate of preterm birth at various time points.
Time frame: Through study completion, average of 1 year from study initiation
Rate of preterm birth at <37 weeks gestation
Subjects (patients) included in this study will be followed to determine rate of preterm birth at various time points.
Time frame: Through study completion, average of 1 year from study initiation
Number of TVU scans identifying a short cervix (≤ 25 mm) in any pregnant women at each study site
Records of TVU scans identifying a short cervix among the study population will be analyzed to determine the rate of short cervix issues among the population. The percentage will aid in determining the need for future TVU screening in similar populations.
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Time frame: Through study completion, average of 1 year from study initiation.
Rate of inpatient hospitalization for preterm labor management prior to delivery
Subjects (patients) included in this study will be followed to determine whether they are subjects to hospitalization prior to birthing due to complications associated with preterm labor.
Time frame: Through study completion, average of 1 year from study initiation.
Rates of clinical therapy
Defined as prescribing vaginal progesterone or performing cervical cerclage
Time frame: Through study completion, average of 1 year from study initiation.