Volume 10, Issue 4 (Winter 2024)
JMIS 2024, 10(4): 359-366 |
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Ethics code: IR.HUMS.REC.1402.460
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Roozbeh N, ghasemi V, zerehi E, banaei M. Designing a comprehensive reproductive health software based on artificial intelligence with an emphasis on pre-, intra- and post-pregnancy care. JMIS 2024; 10 (4) :359-366
URL: http://jmis.hums.ac.ir/article-1-569-en.html
URL: http://jmis.hums.ac.ir/article-1-569-en.html
& Mother and Child Welfare Research Center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
Abstract: (564 Views)
Pregnancy represents a pivotal physiological event with profound implications for women and their families. While a natural process, pregnancy is inherently associated with potential health risks for both the mother and the developing infant (1). Globally, obstetric complications arising during pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium constitute a leading cause of mortality and morbidity among women of reproductive age (2). Contemporary models of care, encompassing preconception, antenatal, and postnatal interventions, offer critical opportunities for the identification and management of modifiable risk factors, thereby potentially preventing severe adverse outcomes (3). The World Health Organization emphasizes maternal and child health as a cornerstone of primary healthcare. Consequently, prioritizing maternal and child health within the implementation of primary healthcare programs is essential for all nations (4), with midwives serving as integral members of the healthcare team in this context.
Midwifery, a critical domain within healthcare systems, exerts a substantial influence on maternal and neonatal well-being. Comprehensive antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care constitutes a fundamental component of the education and professional development of midwifery students and graduates. However, a significant pedagogical challenge within this discipline lies in the predominantly theoretical delivery of curricula, often coupled with limited opportunities for substantive practical experience during clinical placements. The extensive scope of educational content, juxtaposed with insufficient time for the acquisition of practical competencies, frequently results in midwifery students perceiving a deficit in the requisite knowledge and skills for effective management of the continuum of care across the prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum periods post-graduation. This perceived lack of preparedness can compromise the quality of services rendered by practicing midwives and impede the attainment of standardized care at the community level.
The clinical proficiency of midwifery students is inextricably linked to the efficacy of their clinical training. Empirical evidence suggests that current clinical training paradigms may not adequately equip students with the necessary abilities to achieve clinical skills and competencies (reference 5). Consequently, the design and development of technological solutions, such as specialized software applications, represent a potentially efficacious strategy for enhancing women's reproductive health across the preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum phases. Such software, designed to augment the knowledge and skills of both practicing midwives and recent graduates, holds the potential to significantly improve the quality of maternity care services. Given the critical importance of care during this period in preventing serious maternal and neonatal complications, elevating the quality of these services is paramount. However, this necessitates a concomitant improvement in the knowledge and practical abilities of midwives to deliver such care effectively. The utilization of software that synthesizes content based on specialized academic texts in midwifery, gynecology, and obstetrics, alongside official guidelines issued by relevant health ministries, can serve as an efficient tool for the ongoing training and professional empowerment of midwives. The primary objective in developing this software is to provide a comprehensive and practically oriented resource to enhance the knowledge and skills of both practicing and newly qualified midwives. Furthermore, the software's design prioritizes user-friendliness and intuitive navigation to facilitate its effective integration within both clinical and educational settings.
The researchers followed these steps for their idea:
Midwifery, a critical domain within healthcare systems, exerts a substantial influence on maternal and neonatal well-being. Comprehensive antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care constitutes a fundamental component of the education and professional development of midwifery students and graduates. However, a significant pedagogical challenge within this discipline lies in the predominantly theoretical delivery of curricula, often coupled with limited opportunities for substantive practical experience during clinical placements. The extensive scope of educational content, juxtaposed with insufficient time for the acquisition of practical competencies, frequently results in midwifery students perceiving a deficit in the requisite knowledge and skills for effective management of the continuum of care across the prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum periods post-graduation. This perceived lack of preparedness can compromise the quality of services rendered by practicing midwives and impede the attainment of standardized care at the community level.
The clinical proficiency of midwifery students is inextricably linked to the efficacy of their clinical training. Empirical evidence suggests that current clinical training paradigms may not adequately equip students with the necessary abilities to achieve clinical skills and competencies (reference 5). Consequently, the design and development of technological solutions, such as specialized software applications, represent a potentially efficacious strategy for enhancing women's reproductive health across the preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum phases. Such software, designed to augment the knowledge and skills of both practicing midwives and recent graduates, holds the potential to significantly improve the quality of maternity care services. Given the critical importance of care during this period in preventing serious maternal and neonatal complications, elevating the quality of these services is paramount. However, this necessitates a concomitant improvement in the knowledge and practical abilities of midwives to deliver such care effectively. The utilization of software that synthesizes content based on specialized academic texts in midwifery, gynecology, and obstetrics, alongside official guidelines issued by relevant health ministries, can serve as an efficient tool for the ongoing training and professional empowerment of midwives. The primary objective in developing this software is to provide a comprehensive and practically oriented resource to enhance the knowledge and skills of both practicing and newly qualified midwives. Furthermore, the software's design prioritizes user-friendliness and intuitive navigation to facilitate its effective integration within both clinical and educational settings.
The researchers followed these steps for their idea:
- Conduct field interviews with students, graduates, and faculty to identify challenges in preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum care.
- Form a specialized team to select the best content, write and approve the proposal, and develop and implement the software.
- Design a physical model of the reproductive health management software for women during the preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum periods.
- Invite software development experts to assess the feasibility of the design.
- Produce, address defects, and finalize the software.
Software Features and Structure
This software is divided into three main sections, each designed to provide comprehensive and practical services for pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and postpartum care.
These sections include:
- Pre-pregnancy care section: includes the analysis and interpretation of tests, pre-pregnancy records (recording and storing records of diseases, surgical history, and maternal medical problems, and providing necessary recommendations), physical examination and vital signs (monitoring indicators such as blood pressure, weight, and other vital signs that play an important role in preparing for pregnancy), vaccination (reminding and recording required pre-pregnancy vaccines), pharmaceutical supplements, and education and recommendations (regarding personal hygiene, oral and dental health, sexual and mental health, nutrition, and the dangers of tobacco and alcohol).
- Antenatal care section: includes routine care (providing care schedules and explaining the necessary measures for each visit and assessing the condition of the mother and fetus), test and ultrasound interpretation (automatic analysis of pregnancy test results and ultrasound interpretation to assess fetal growth), pregnancy and delivery records (recording records of previous pregnancies and medical measures taken in the current pregnancy), physical examination and vital signs (monitoring weight changes, blood pressure and other vital indicators to identify potential risks such as preeclampsia), vaccination (reminding and recording of vaccines required during pregnancy), drug supplements (managing the use of pregnancy supplements based on the period of pregnancy), education and advice (regarding personal hygiene, oral and dental health, sexual and mental health, nutrition, the harms of tobacco and alcohol and others), common complaints and their management (such as nausea and vomiting, back pain and urinary tract infections)
- Postpartum care section: includes routine care (providing care schedules and explaining the necessary measures for each visit and assessing the condition of the mother and baby), physical examination, and vital signs (monitoring the mother's general health in terms of symptoms such as blood pressure, bleeding and wound healing process), vaccination (recording and reminding the mother of essential vaccines), medicinal supplements, education and advice (regarding personal hygiene and suture sites, sexual and mental health, nutrition and breastfeeding, infant care, contraception and the right time for the next pregnancy), common and uncommon complaints and their management (such as bleeding and spotting, breast pain, abdominal pain).
The Role of Automated Test Analysis in the Software:
A salient feature of this software application is its integrated functionality for the analysis of laboratory test results. This module enables users to input relevant laboratory data, facilitating an automated assessment of whether the entered values fall within established normal or abnormal ranges. Furthermore, where indicated, the software provides pertinent recommendations based on the interpreted results. This functionality has the potential to enhance clinical decision-making processes and mitigate maternal anxiety. For instance, the test interpretation section presents a structured list of laboratory investigations relevant to antenatal care. Upon entry of specific test values, the software autonomously determines and displays whether each result is within the normal physiological range or indicative of an abnormality, accompanied by suggested clinical actions for the user's consideration.
To improve the use and effectiveness of this software, the following recommendations and suggestions are provided:
1) Suggestion for further research: It is recommended that further research be conducted to evaluate the impact of this software on improving maternal and newborn health indicators. Cross-sectional or longitudinal studies can investigate the role of this tool in reducing pregnancy and postpartum complications and the proper management of these complications.
2) Expand capabilities: Add features such as automatic reminders for taking medication supplements, check-ups, and performing periodic tests; Develop sections for managing specific conditions such as high-risk pregnancies or twin pregnancies.
3) Collaboration with healthcare centers: This software can be used as a complementary tool in pregnancy care clinics and healthcare centers.
4) Recommendation for healthcare professionals: Healthcare professionals and caregivers can use this software to more closely monitor their patients and improve the quality of care. In addition to reducing human errors, this tool can facilitate treatment processes and save time.
This software is not only a tool for enhancing maternal health but can also be used as an educational resource for midwives and students in this field. The development of this tool, incorporating feedback from users and experts, will be an effective step towards improving the quality of reproductive care at both national and international levels.
A salient feature of this software application is its integrated functionality for the analysis of laboratory test results. This module enables users to input relevant laboratory data, facilitating an automated assessment of whether the entered values fall within established normal or abnormal ranges. Furthermore, where indicated, the software provides pertinent recommendations based on the interpreted results. This functionality has the potential to enhance clinical decision-making processes and mitigate maternal anxiety. For instance, the test interpretation section presents a structured list of laboratory investigations relevant to antenatal care. Upon entry of specific test values, the software autonomously determines and displays whether each result is within the normal physiological range or indicative of an abnormality, accompanied by suggested clinical actions for the user's consideration.
To improve the use and effectiveness of this software, the following recommendations and suggestions are provided:
1) Suggestion for further research: It is recommended that further research be conducted to evaluate the impact of this software on improving maternal and newborn health indicators. Cross-sectional or longitudinal studies can investigate the role of this tool in reducing pregnancy and postpartum complications and the proper management of these complications.
2) Expand capabilities: Add features such as automatic reminders for taking medication supplements, check-ups, and performing periodic tests; Develop sections for managing specific conditions such as high-risk pregnancies or twin pregnancies.
3) Collaboration with healthcare centers: This software can be used as a complementary tool in pregnancy care clinics and healthcare centers.
4) Recommendation for healthcare professionals: Healthcare professionals and caregivers can use this software to more closely monitor their patients and improve the quality of care. In addition to reducing human errors, this tool can facilitate treatment processes and save time.
This software is not only a tool for enhancing maternal health but can also be used as an educational resource for midwives and students in this field. The development of this tool, incorporating feedback from users and experts, will be an effective step towards improving the quality of reproductive care at both national and international levels.
Type of Study: Letter to editor |
Subject:
General
Received: 2025/01/3 | Accepted: 2025/01/29 | Published: 2024/12/30
Received: 2025/01/3 | Accepted: 2025/01/29 | Published: 2024/12/30
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