Semin Reprod Med 2022; 40(03/04): 214-226
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1749683
Review Article

Setting Preconception Care Priorities in Australia Using a Delphi Technique

Jacqueline A. Boyle 
1   Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University. Clayton, VIC, Australia
,
Kirsten Black 
2   Faculty of Medicine and Health, Central Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
,
Edwina Dorney 
2   Faculty of Medicine and Health, Central Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
,
David J. Amor 
3   Murdoch Children's Research Institute and University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
,
Louise Brown
4   Jean Hailes for Women's Health, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia
,
Emily Callander
1   Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University. Clayton, VIC, Australia
,
Renea Camilleri
4   Jean Hailes for Women's Health, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia
,
Kate Cheney
2   Faculty of Medicine and Health, Central Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
,
Adrienne Gordon
2   Faculty of Medicine and Health, Central Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
,
Karin Hammarberg
5   Global and Women's Health, School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
,
Dheepa Jeyapalan
6   Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth), Melbourne, VIC, Australia
,
Deana Leahy
7   Faculty of Education, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
,
Jo Millard
8   Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA), Melbourne, VIC, Australia
,
Catherine Mills
9   Monash Bioethics Centre, Faculty of Arts, School of Philosophical, Historical and International Studies, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
,
Loretta Musgrave
10   Centre for Midwifery, Child and Family Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
,
Robert J. Norman
11   Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, SA, Australia
,
Claire O'Brien
12   Community Advisor. VIC, Australia
,
Vijay Roach
13   Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
,
Helen Skouteris
14   Monash Warwick Professor in Health and Social Care Improvement and Implementation Science, Health and Social Care Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
,
Amie Steel
15   Australian Centre for Public and Population Health Research, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
,
Sue Walker
16   Maternal Fetal Medicine, Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
,
Ruth Walker 
1   Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University. Clayton, VIC, Australia
› Author Affiliations Funding Funding for this research has been provided from the Australian Government's Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF). The MRFF provides funding to support health and medical research and innovation, with the objective of improving the health and wellbeing of Australians. MRFF funding has been provided to the Australian Prevention Partnership Centre under the MRFF Boosting Preventive Health Research Program. Further information on the MRFF is available at http://www.health.gov.au/mrff.
› Further Information
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Abstract

Preconception health affects fertility, pregnancy, and future health outcomes but public awareness of this is low. Our aims were to rank priorities for preconception care (PCC), develop strategies to address these priorities, and establish values to guide future work in preconception healthcare in Australia. A Delphi technique involved two rounds of online voting and mid-round workshops. Inputs were a scoping review of PCC guidelines, a priority setting framework and existing networks that focus on health. During July and August, 2021, 23 multidisciplinary experts in PCC or social care, including a consumer advocate, completed the Delphi technique. Ten priority areas were identified, with health behaviors, medical history, weight, and reproductive health ranked most highly. Six strategies were identified. Underpinning values encompassed engagement with stakeholders, a life course view of preconception health, an integrated multi-sectorial approach and a need for large scale collaboration to implement interventions that deliver impact across health care, social care, policy and population health. Priority populations were considered within the social determinants of health. Health behaviors, medical history, weight, and reproductive health were ranked highly as PCC priorities. Key strategies to address priorities should be implemented with consideration of values that improve the preconception health of all Australians.

Keywords

preconception care - primary care - health care - consensus

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Article published online:
27 June 2022

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