Physicians’ Perspectives on the Current State and Potential Improvements of Urban Indian Healthcare Referral Systems for Ante-Natal and Post-Natal Care: A Qualitative Research

Maria Sabastin Sagayam, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
Angan Sengupta, Department Of Management, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Bangalore
Priya Gupta, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham

Maternal health remains a critical public health issue in India, with its vast and diverse population. Despite improvements in maternal health indicators over the years, significant disparities in access to quality ante-natal and post-natal care persist, even in urban areas where healthcare facilities are assumed to be abundant. This study evaluates the experiences of obstetricians and gynecologists in government and private healthcare facilities in metropolitan India about the process of referring patients for specialist maternal care. Qualitative research methodology was used to conduct comprehensive interviews with 15 physicians. Communication theory has been used as a guiding theory or this study. The themes identified many significant problems: inadequate communication among healthcare professionals, delays in making recommendations, and a lack of uniform protocols in both public and private sectors. Physicians advocated for the implementation of electronic health records, more cooperation among healthcare professionals, and policy changes to establish unified referral procedures across several sectors. The results indicate that technological advancement, improved communication, and fortifying public-private collaborations can enhance maternal health outcomes in urban India. These proposals provide a framework for policymakers and administrators to enhance maternal and pregnancy-related care, hence improving health outcomes in urban India.

Keywords: Qualitative data/methods/approaches, Health and Morbidity, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

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