Potential Improvements to Women’s Care Pathways After Gestational Diabetes: A Qualitative Study

Women with prior gestational diabetes face a highly increased risk of type 2 diabetes and are difficult to recruit for follow-up care, possibly due to a loss of professional support in the care pathway. This study aimed to explore Danish health professionals’ experiences of the challenges in the care pathway for women with prior gestational diabetes, the obstacles to continuity of care, and the possibility of better preventing type 2 diabetes. Qualitative semi-structured interviews with twelve health care professionals were conducted. The interviews were analyzed using inductive content analysis. The study follows the COREQ-checklist. The findings are organized into five main categories. The conclusions indicate that gestational diabetes is easily overlooked due to a lack of information sharing and continuity across health care delivery systems. Creating a management plan and engaging general practice nurses as designated health professionals may improve the care pathway and better prevent type 2 diabetes.