Table 3

Examples of analysis on the number of participants who preferred specific design elements of Design 1 versus Design 2 (see online supplemental file 1 for details on design elements)

Design elementIllustrative quote/sContent analysis
Tabulated text with YES/NO (Design 1) vs coloured row format with dots and lines (Design 2)‘I think Tool 2 would be better, because it is easier, it’s just drawing lines […] Tool 1, you actually have to write, yes, no, all the, obviously, figures, so it takes a bit longer, I think.’ (Midwife)
‘When there’s a peak in the line, it’s easy to see where there is a problem.’ (Obstetrician)
12 out of 12 participants who commented on this element preferred Design 2
Six timeslot columns on one chart (Design 1) vs 16 timeslot columns on one chart (Design 2)’What have you got, six hours on the first one, you’ve got more haven’t you on this second one. That’s an advantage on the second one for sure because six hours is quite limiting, isn’t it, not many people have a baby in six hours, particularly if they’re high risk and on the CTG.’ (Midwife)11 out of 11 participants who commented on this element preferred Design 2
Flow chart action diagram (design 1) vs actions described in boxes adjacent to recordings (Design 2)’I’m a little bit confused on this form [Design 2] as to what…the other form, the flow chart made it a little bit easier what to do.’ (Midwife)7 out of 11 participants who commented on this element preferred Design 1
Rows with detailed fetal heart rate features (Design 1) vs rows combining related features such as decelerations and variability (Design 2)‘[…] the degree to which you’ve got different concerns at different levels would mean that you were less or more concerned about the CTG. So I think this [Design 2] really oversimplifies the CTG too far.’ (Obstetrician)9 out of 11 participants who commented on this element preferred Design 1
Inclusion of ‘start of labour risk assessment’ on the chart (Design 1) vs not presenting this assessment on the chart (Design 2)’You're not going to put all the previous pregnancy bits in a risk assessment for this pregnancy. Certainly significant medical history might be useful. Has she got foetal growth restriction because she’s got a medical problem? Or is it a pregnancy related problem?’ (Obstetrician)9 out of 9 participants who commented on this design element preferred Design 1
Aesthetics such as colours and font size of Design 1 vs Design 2‘This one [Design 1] looks slightly more anxiety inducing. It is very busy.’ (Midwife)
’The whole look of it and feel of it [Design 2] feels more simple, it’s more relaxing.’ (Midwife)
’The orange colour [used in Design 2] you know that obviously there is a problem. So you need action.’ (Midwife)
’I think it’s all clearer [in Design 2], a bit bigger. Yeah, I have no concerns about the font and the clarity of tool B [Design 2]. I suppose when you’re just glancing at it overall, it’s really easy to see where the issues were.’ (Obstetrician)
13 out of 13 participants who commented on this design element preferred Design 2
  • CTG, cardiotocography.