Table 4 Different beliefs identified within behavioural domains between individual health professional groups

Belief about consequences

Neo

The evidence suggests administering a repeat course/(s) of antenatal corticosteroids is beneficial

“I think people are usually confident that they are not causing harm in the lower number”

E

18

Neo

I do not believe the evidence suggests administering antenatal corticosteroids at term is beneficial

“There is limited evidence. I mean it sort of makes sense. But then you have to start thinking about how you prime corticosteroid receptors in later life”

E

12

Neo

The latest gestational age I would consider administering antenatal corticosteroids would be 34 weeks

“34 weeks as being the typical break point and I think that is a sensible break point based on the current evidence”

E

10

Obs

The latest gestational age I would consider administering antenatal corticosteroids would be up to 37/38 weeks

“Well I guess for, for our elective caesareans we have done if we have delivered them less than 39 weeks”

E

13

Social professional role and identity

Mw

Having knowledge on the administration of antenatal corticosteroids is not required by my professional body

“As a professional group the college of midwives want us to be grounded in the normal”

B

3

“Is just out of intellectual interest rather than it necessarily being something that I need to know for what I am actually practising”

Neo

The neonatal team confirm antenatal corticosteroids have been administered to the appropriate women

“I don’t prescribe antenatal corticosteroids. I often ask if they have been prescribed”

E

7

Neo

Neonatologists advise on antenatal corticosteroid administration at extremes of viability

“Due to poor prognosis in less than 24/40 do not feel giving steroids to be appropriate”

E

3

Environmental context and resources

Obs

Further guidelines and protocols are needed to guide use of antenatal corticosteroids

“Facilitate primary course, confusion regarding secondary course” (do external influences facilitate or hinder the use of ACS)

B

3

Emotion

Obs

I find discussions around viability quite difficult

“If you ask me personally what I would do if it was me, that’s a tough decision. The query viability stuff is no easy street”

E

3

Mw

Overloading patients with information around antenatal corticosteroids could scare or confuse them.

“Because you don’t want to frighten the life out of them” (informing patients about steroids)

E

2

Neo

I am frustrated by some elements of antenatal corticosteroid practice amongst obstetricians and the poor communication with the neonatal team

“Obstetric staff to think of this when prescribing the first dose and counselling patients accordingly”

B

5

Obs

I am frustrated by the conflicting information and practice around repeat antenatal corticosteroid administration

“To be honest I don’t know the evidence of this whole repeat and rescues and things and it would be good to have that simplified and easy to access”

B

2