Digenis, C.Cusack, L.Salter, A.Winter, A.Turnbull, D.2025-01-092025-01-092024Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2024; 81(7):1-130309-24020309-2402https://hdl.handle.net/2440/143570Aims: To understand the perspectives and experiences of healthcare providers who have experience working with an enhanced recovery care after elective caesarean birth pathway with next-day discharge and home midwifery. Design: This study applies a qualitative study design with a pragmatic realist approach. The realist framework was used while also taking a post-positivist philosophy. Methods: The work was conducted in South Australia, Australia between May and October 2019. Twenty-three semi-structured interviews were completed with 5 doctors and 18 midwives who had occupational experience working with the pathway. Interviews were analysed using following the six-phase qualitative thematic analysis process outlined by Braun and Clarke. COREQ guidelines were followed. Results: Four main themes and 11 sub-themes were identified. Main themes identified were as follows: The pathway is more than just early discharge; experiences with the process; staff engagement with the pathway; and the impact of the pathway within the health system. Conclusion: Healthcare providers generally accepted the pathway and found enhanced recovery care to be a positive and beneficial model of care. Staff identified five main challenges with implementing the pathway: early discharge; eligible women's automatic inclusion on the pathway; engaging women; change for staff and organisational constraints and procedures. Elements that support integration include the following: education for women; reassurance and communication with women and families; prepared care and supports including home midwifery; staff education and communication of the evidence; clear guidelines and protocols; defined staff roles; enough clinical time and clinical flexibility. Impact: Knowledge from staff in this study would be useful for other health services to consider when looking to deliver similar models of care. Patient or Public Contribution: The health service and health providers were involved with the initiation and development of the research aims and design.en© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.caesarean section; enhanced recovery; ERAS; healthcare provider; midwife; nurse; obstetrician; qualitative; staffJournal article10.1111/jan.16647724001Digenis, C. [0000-0001-9135-6376]Cusack, L. [0000-0003-1268-297X]Salter, A. [0000-0002-2881-0684]Winter, A. [0000-0002-1106-2085]Turnbull, D. [0000-0002-7116-7073]