Perceptions and experiences of compassionate care among mothers at Kawempe National Referral Hospital, Uganda

Abstract

Introduction Compassionate care is understanding the suffering in others and doing something about it, this goes beyond the routine but includes building a relationship, practicing respect, focusing attention on the patient, not rushing the appointment, keeping the environment positive and comfortable, maintaining patient dignity, sharing control whenever possible, explaining procedures, and using laughter to reduce power imbalance through shared humanity During childbirth, the process is very significant, it improves the quality of care. Objective The objective of the study was to explore perceptions and experiences of compassionate care among mothers at Kawempe National Referral Hospital, Uganda. Methodology This was an exploratory study employing qualitative techniques using in-depth interviews conducted on 12 participants, who were mothers on immediate postnatal care awaiting discharge. Results: Three categories emerged from this study; Category one: Meaning of compassionate care, with five sub categories; Midwives’ active participation, effective communication, respectful care, respect for religious, cultural beliefs and practices and interaction of the care taker and the midwife. Category two: Positive experiences with four sub categories; labour and pain management, professionalism, mothers’ feelings about the care and environment. Category three: Negative experiences with two sub categories; midwife’s behaviour, system challenges. Conclusion: The findings indicate how mothers would like compassionate care to be rendered to them during labour and delivery, the need for respect for both the mother, care taker and their religious, cultural beliefs and practices. The mother also needs to be treated according to have they have come and not generalised. This creates positive feelings. Mothers had opportunities when they encountered compassionate care although their chances when they did not due to the different circumstances in place and this created negative feelings