The ResQu Index: A new instrument to appraise the quality of research on birth place.

Journal: PloS one
Published Date: Jan 1, 2017

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Place of birth is a known determinant of health care outcomes, interventions and costs. Many studies have examined the maternal and perinatal outcomes when women plan to give birth in hospitals compared with births in birth centres or at home. However, these studies vary substantially in rigour; assessing their quality is challenging. Existing research appraisal tools do not always capture important elements of study design that are critical when comparing outcomes by planned place of birth. To address this deficiency, we aimed to develop a reliable instrument to rate the quality of primary research on maternal and newborn outcomes by place of birth.

Authors

  • Saraswathi Vedam
    Centre for Midwifery, Child and Family Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW, Australia.
  • Chris Rossiter
    Centre for Midwifery, Child and Family Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW, Australia.
  • Caroline S E Homer
    Centre for Midwifery, Child and Family Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW, Australia.
  • Kathrin Stoll
    UBC Midwifery Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
  • Vanessa L Scarf
    Centre for Midwifery, Child and Family Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW, Australia.

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