2026/06/25 by Andrew McCombie, Beth Hall, Adele Macgregor · 1 voice
Medicine · Psychology · #Maternal and Perinatal Health Interventions #Maternal and fetal healthcare #Migration, Health and Trauma
paper · doi:10.1111/anae.70279
openalex publication_date 2026/06/25 · openalex created_date 2026/06/27 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/27
We thank Lucas et al. [1] for their thoughtful engagement with our study [2] and for highlighting the importance of qualitative research in understanding ethnic disparities in labour epidural utilisation. We agree that qualitative approaches are essential for exploring the complex interplay of lived experience, communication, trust and decision-making in maternity care. As noted, such work requires careful design, appropriate expertise and meaningful engagement with communities to ensure that findings are both valid and relevant. Future research should be directed toward generating actionable insights. In our view, there is a need to move beyond describing disparities and toward identifying modifiable factors within healthcare systems that contribute to differential access and utilisation. Qualitative research will play a critical role in this process, particularly in centring experiences and perspectives. Its greatest impact may be realised when integrated with quantitative and implementation-focused approaches, enabling the development and evaluation of interventions that can be embedded within routine care. We agree that the disparities identified will not be resolved through epidemiological analyses alone. Addressing them will require sustained methodological, institutional and funding commitment, alongside a focus on translation into practice. We see the data described in our study as an early step in this pathway. We are grateful to Lucas et al. for reinforcing the importance of this work and hope that, collectively, these discussions help to advance research that not only characterises inequities but contributes to meaningful and measurable improvements in care.