Background COVID-19 presented an unprecedented global public health challenge because of its rapid and relentless spread, and many countries instituted lockdowns to prevent the spread of infection. Although this strategy may have been... more
Background COVID-19 presented an unprecedented global public health challenge because of its rapid and relentless spread, and many countries instituted lockdowns to prevent the spread of infection. Although this strategy may have been appropriate to reduce infection, it presented unintended difficulties in rural Uganda, especially in maternal and born newborn care. For example, some services were suspended, meaning the nearest health facility was at a considerable distance. This study explored the experiences of mothers and their significant others of comprehensive care in the first 1000 days of life post-conception during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bunghokho-Mutoto sub-county, Mbale District, Uganda. Methods A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was used with data collected in semi-structured interviews. Mothers (pregnant or with a child under 2 years) and their significant others were purposively recruited for this study. The sample size (N = 14) was determined by data satura...
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Background: COVID-19 presented an unprecedented global public health challenge because of its rapid and relentless spread, and many countries instituted lockdowns to prevent the spread of infection. Although this strategy may have been... more
Background: COVID-19 presented an unprecedented global public health challenge because of its rapid and relentless spread, and many countries instituted lockdowns to prevent the spread of infection. Although this strategy may have been appropriate to reduce infection, it presented unintended difficulties in rural Uganda, especially in maternal and newborn care. For example, some services were suspended, meaning the nearest health facility was at a considerable distance. Aim: This study explored the experiences of women and their significant others of comprehensive care in the first 1000 days of life post-conception during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bunghokho-Mutoto sub-county, Mbale District, Uganda.Methodology: A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was used with data collected in semi-structured interviews. Women (pregnant or with a child under 2 years) and their significant others were purposively recruited for this study. The sample size (N=14) was determined by data saturat...
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Introduction Globally, maternal morbidity and mortality have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the high burden of maternal and neonatal mortality in Kenya prior to COVID-19, front line health workers, including nurse-midwives,... more
Introduction Globally, maternal morbidity and mortality have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the high burden of maternal and neonatal mortality in Kenya prior to COVID-19, front line health workers, including nurse-midwives, must be competent to ensure continued quality maternal services. Knowledge and awareness of COVID-19 transmission influence nurse-midwives risk perception and ability to implement prevention strategies. Objective We examined nurse-midwives’ knowledge, attitudes, and preparedness in managing pregnant and postpartum women with COVID-19 in Kenya. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 118 nurse-midwives between July 2020 and November 2020. A 31-item survey comprising 15 knowledge, 11 attitude, and five preparedness questions was administered using SurveyMonkey. A link to the survey was distributed among nurse-midwives via email. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess associations between the variables. A p-value ...
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Background General Pharmaceutical Council standards (UK) state ‘pharmacy professionals have the right to practise in line with their religion, personal values or beliefs as long as they …make sure that person-centred care is not... more
Background General Pharmaceutical Council standards (UK) state ‘pharmacy professionals have the right to practise in line with their religion, personal values or beliefs as long as they …make sure that person-centred care is not compromised’, indicating a potential conflict for pharmacists who wish to exercise their right to conscientious objection (CO) to abortion while maintaining a duty of care to their patients. Objective The objective of this study was to explore pharmacists’ views of conscientious objection to abortion and whether this included the supply of EC and the impact on practice. Method Eighteen UK pharmacists were interviewed using semistructured interviews. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, imported into NVivo11 and analysed using thematic analysis. Key findings Five themes were identified: beliefs as to what constitutes abortion, influences on beliefs, conflicts of conscience, accommodating conscience and professional obligations. Views were polarised in relati...
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Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to develop a psychometric scale - the birth satisfaction scale (BSS) - for assessing women's birth perceptions. Design/methodology/approach - literature review and transcribed research-based... more
Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to develop a psychometric scale - the birth satisfaction scale (BSS) - for assessing women's birth perceptions. Design/methodology/approach - literature review and transcribed research-based perceived birth satisfaction and dissatisfaction expression statements were converted into a scored questionnaire. Findings - three overarching themes were identified: service provision (home assessment, birth environment, support, relationships with health care professionals); personal attributes (ability to cope during labour, feeling in control, childbirth preparation, relationship with baby); and stress experienced during labour (distress, obstetric injuries, receiving sufficient medical care, obstetric intervention, pain, long labour and baby's health). Research limitations/implications - women construct their birth experience differently. Views are directed by personal beliefs, reactions, emotions and reflections, which alter in relation to mo...
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This paper examines a legal case arising from a workplace grievance that progressed to being heard at the UK’s Supreme Court. The case of Doogan and Wood versus Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board concerned two senior midwives in... more
This paper examines a legal case arising from a workplace grievance that progressed to being heard at the UK’s Supreme Court. The case of Doogan and Wood versus Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board concerned two senior midwives in Scotland, both practicing Roman Catholics, who exercised their perceived rights in accordance with section 4(1) of the Abortion Act not to participate in the treatment of women undergoing abortions. The key question raised by this case was: “Is Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board entitled to require the midwives to delegate, supervise and support staff in the treatment of patients undergoing termination of pregnancy?” The ethical issues concerning conscientious objection to abortion have been much debated although the academic literature is mainly concerned with the position of medical practitioners rather than what the World Health Organization terms “mid-level professionals” such as midwives. This paper examines the arguments put forward by the midw...
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While abortion has been legal in most developed countries for many years, the topic remains controversial. A major area of controversy concerns women’s rights vis-a-vis the rights of health professionals to opt out of providing the... more
While abortion has been legal in most developed countries for many years, the topic remains controversial. A major area of controversy concerns women’s rights vis-a-vis the rights of health professionals to opt out of providing the service on conscience grounds. Although scholars from various disciplines have addressed this issue in the literature, there is a lack of empirical research on the topic. This paper provides a documentary analysis of three examples of conscientious objection on religious grounds to performing abortion-related care by midwives in different Member States of the European Union, two of which have resulted in legal action. These examples show that as well as the laws of the respective countries and the European Union, professional and church law each played a part in the decisions made. However, support from both professional and religious sources was inconsistent both within and between the examples. The authors conclude that there is a need for clear guideli...
Research Interests: Sociology, Law, Applied Ethics, Medical Ethics, European Union, and 5 moreConscience, Medicine, Abortion, Rg, and Bj
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Research Interests: Psychology, Perception, Quality of life, Women, Self Care, and 15 moreSocial Support, Menstruation, Medicine, Activities of Daily Living, Humans, Female, Disease, Sexual Behavior, Interpersonal Relations, Middle Aged, Questionnaires, Adult, Internal- External Locus of Control, Parkinson Disease, and attitude to health
Research Interests: Nursing, Decision Making, Qualitative Research, Midwifery, Medicine, and 15 moreGenetic counseling, Pregnancy, Humans, Female, Male, Feeling, Parents, Public health systems and services research, Prenatal Diagnosis, Fetus, Surveys and Questionnaires, Malformation, Interviews as topic, Paediatrics and reproductive medicine, and Fetal
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT Over the last 50 years leading international organisations have been emphasising the key role that midwives play in the provision of quality care for women and babies throughout the pregnancy continuum. Midwifery... more
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT Over the last 50 years leading international organisations have been emphasising the key role that midwives play in the provision of quality care for women and babies throughout the pregnancy continuum. Midwifery education, however, generally remained at pre-university level until recently when Bachelors' programmes were developed. In Europe this development was taken further with the awarding of a European Union Lifelong Learning Programme grant to a consortium of five universities in four countries to develop a joint Master's degree in midwifery. The first students, drawn not only from the countries of the partner institutions but also from other European countries and from countries outside of Europe, commenced their studies in 2009. DOES THE PROGRAMME MEET ITS OBJECTIVES AND THOSE SET OUT IN THE LANCET SERIES?: The objectives of the programme were in line with the requirements for effective midwifery care and evidence based practice as discussed in the Lancet series. THREATS AND CHALLENGES TO SUSTAINABILITY As an EU funded project all the goals were met. However, in terms of its long-term sustainability problems arose due to the need for universities to rationalise programmes. The number of students has remained steady but low with the projected growth not taking place thus it has been impossible to perceive an impact on midwifery practice and the health of women and children where graduates are working. CONCLUSION Despite limitations, the programme serves as an exemplary model of how a Master's programme in midwifery can be successfully built through a collaboration of interested parties from different countries, and can be applied at a global level in other regions of the world, with sufficient political and economic support.
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Cultural values and beliefs play an important role in the medical attention-seeking behaviour of postpartum mothers during the postnatal period. Infant care, similar to other human behaviours, is influenced by cultural beliefs so... more
Cultural values and beliefs play an important role in the medical attention-seeking behaviour of postpartum mothers during the postnatal period. Infant care, similar to other human behaviours, is influenced by cultural beliefs so exploration of cultural beliefs and practices of infant care is essential (Mennella et al, 2005). This article reviews the literature surrounding postnatal infant care with particular focus on the beliefs and practices among different cultures. The purpose is to highlight the variety of cultural beliefs and discuss how these can influence practices (excluding breastfeeding) during the postnatal period. It should help midwives understand the basis for some women's cultural beliefs and practices regarding postnatal infant care.
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On occasion midwives may be required to construct a research proposal. In the current climate of evidence-based practice, such activity is considered an elemental skill for career progression in both education and service. Examples of... more
On occasion midwives may be required to construct a research proposal. In the current climate of evidence-based practice, such activity is considered an elemental skill for career progression in both education and service. Examples of where writing a research proposal may be required include writing an assessment for under- and post-graduate research modules or designing a dissertation, MPhil, Prof Doc or PhD. Within clinical practice there are also audit and evaluation of practice responsibilities. With these factors at the forefront, this article provides a template specifically designed to direct midwives through the procedures of constructing a research proposal. The purpose of a research proposal is to produce a template of common understanding from which tasks are allocated, divided and discussed by researchers, clinical staff and in some cases participants. The finished product is then used to communicate intent to the ethics committees and grant funding bodies before authori...
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This study adopted a multiple case study design to develop our understanding of the experiences and adjustments made by women with Parkinson Disease in relation to womanhood. Nineteen women participated in this investigation telling their... more
This study adopted a multiple case study design to develop our understanding of the experiences and adjustments made by women with Parkinson Disease in relation to womanhood. Nineteen women participated in this investigation telling their stories through a combination of individual interviews, group interviews, reflective diaries, reflective tapes and creative writing. Data were analysed using the framework of Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, Extrapersonal and Metapersonal health proposed by Boddy and Rice (Perspectives on Health and Illness, Dunsmore Press, Palmerston North, 1992). Women reported that major changes were required in their lives in each of these aspects of health. In particular women reported labile emotions, changing body images, changing lifestyles, changing relationships with partner, family and friends, increasing dependence, decreasing role fulfillment and the need for support versus increasing isolation. The findings are of particular relevance to nurses and other...
Research Interests: Nursing, Perception, Interpersonal Communication, Intrapersonal Communication, Life Style, and 15 moreBody Image, Medicine, Activities of Daily Living, Humans, Case Study, Female, Health Professionals, Multiple Case Study, Middle Aged, Adult, Nursing Studies, Life Change Events, Parkinson Disease, Disabled Persons, and attitude to health
In recent years there has been a drive to base all health care provision upon the most recent, appropriate scientific evidence. This has prompted an interest in research by midwives in clinical practice who want to ensure that they are... more
In recent years there has been a drive to base all health care provision upon the most recent, appropriate scientific evidence. This has prompted an interest in research by midwives in clinical practice who want to ensure that they are providing the best possible care. Those midwives who do not use evidenced based practice but instead teach, support and demonstrate ritualistic practices without reference to the substantial research available, are limiting women's choice in maternity care. In a recent trial investigating whether routine suturing of perineal lacerations is required, the trial's outcome was jeopardised because of midwives' beliefs about suturing. The rationale for such ritualistic behaviour is not always easy to understand and using a framework of power and it is examined in this article to determine what concepts are influencing these practices. The article concludes by suggesting that some midwives appear to ignore the results of this trial and other rese...
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The decision-making power base in maternity care has altered in the last century with recent government documents suggesting that it be more women-centred. Those midwives who do not use evidenced-based practice and who teach, support and... more
The decision-making power base in maternity care has altered in the last century with recent government documents suggesting that it be more women-centred. Those midwives who do not use evidenced-based practice and who teach, support and demonstrate ritualistic practices without reference to the substantial research available, are limiting women's choice(s) in maternity care. In a trial (Fleming et al, 2001), investigating whether routine suturing of perineal lacerations is required, the researchers concluded that midwives appeared to have attempted to influence the outcome because of their own deep-held beliefs about suturing. The rationale for this behaviour is not always easy to understand and it is examined here to determine what concepts are influencing these practices. First, is this behaviour a way of raising the midwife's profile as an expert or are midwives in fact feeling less the expert of normal childbirth as their role is eroded by other disciplines? Second, are...
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This article describes the education for practice of midwives in Scotland and Germany with a particular focus on the strengths of each country's approach. Recent developments in midwifery practice in the two countries are highlighted,... more
This article describes the education for practice of midwives in Scotland and Germany with a particular focus on the strengths of each country's approach. Recent developments in midwifery practice in the two countries are highlighted, analysing their similarities and differences. The next section reflects upon each midwifery education system in a similar manner. Although the focus is firmly on the strengths of each system, some criticism is offered in the final section which discusses how midwives in each country can gain from the experience of the other.
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In diesem Aufsatz werden verschiedene phänomenologische und hermeneutische Ansätze der internationalen Pflegeforschung diskutiert. In einem ersten Schritt zeigt eine umfassende Literaturrecherche, dass die angloamerikanische Debatte über... more
In diesem Aufsatz werden verschiedene phänomenologische und hermeneutische Ansätze der internationalen Pflegeforschung diskutiert. In einem ersten Schritt zeigt eine umfassende Literaturrecherche, dass die angloamerikanische Debatte über die Grundlagen der qualitativen Pflegeforschung auf übersetzten Werken deutscher Philosophen beruht. Dadurch erfolgt nicht nur eine sprachliche, sondern auch eine kulturelle Interpretation dieser Werke. So werden philosophische Begriffe eben unterschiedlich gedeutet und angewandt. Die deutsche Pflegeforschung hingegen beeinflusst diese internationale Debatte auf philosophischer Ebene erst in Anfängen. Im zweiten Schritt erfolgt eine methodologische Auseinandersetzung mit der philosophischen Originalliteratur und den internationalen pflegewissenschaftlichen Arbeiten. Diese Auseinandersetzung bildet dann die Grundlage für die Entwicklung einer qualitativen Forschungsmethode nach Gadamers philosophischer Hermeneutik. Die Schlussfolgerung aus der Diskus...
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To investigate the experience of emergency nurses caring for suddenly bereaved family members in the clinical setting, particularly after they are informed about the loss of a loved one. Data was obtained from semi-structured interviews... more
To investigate the experience of emergency nurses caring for suddenly bereaved family members in the clinical setting, particularly after they are informed about the loss of a loved one. Data was obtained from semi-structured interviews with seven emergency nurses drawn from emergency nursing staff working in a Spanish Hospital. Interviews were tape recorded, and hermeneutic-phenomenological analysis was applied to gain understanding from the emergency nurses' experiences. The Accident and Emergency department in the Hospital Universitario Insular de Gran Canaria (Spain). Study undertaken in partial fulfillment of the main author's MSc (Department of Nursing and Community Health) at Glasgow Caledonian University. Several themes emerged from those interviews, which appeared to form the basis of the emergency nurses' reality: knowing, relationships, culture and reality. They showed the need to reflect on personal and professional experiences to facilitate personal growth, discover meaning for emergency nurses and examine the possible implications for clinical care. This study enabled both participants and the researcher to evaluate critically what was troublesome from their perspective and to identify sources of innovation and liberation within everyday practices.
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Research Interests: Sociology, Nursing, Governmentality, Empowerment, Pedagogy, and 14 moreAutonomy, Benchmarking, Medicine, Teaching, Curriculum, Humans, Advanced Nursing Practice, Nursing Education, Nursing Education and Research in Nursing, Educational Models, Great Britain, Nursing Students, Personal autonomy, and Interviews as topic
Research Interests: Nursing, Focus Groups, Quality of life, Women, Self Care, and 15 moreMenstruation, Benchmarking, Medicine, Activities of Daily Living, Humans, Advanced Nursing Practice, Needs Assessment, Female, Middle Aged, Questionnaires, Adult, Age Factors, Parkinson Disease, Disabled Persons, and attitude to health
Background: This study was developed as a result of a court case involving conflicts between midwives’ professional practice and their faith when caring for women undergoing abortions in Scotland. Research questions: What are practising... more
Background: This study was developed as a result of a court case involving conflicts between midwives’ professional practice and their faith when caring for women undergoing abortions in Scotland. Research questions: What are practising Roman Catholics’ perspectives of potential conflicts between midwives’ professional practice in Scotland with regard to involvement in abortions and their faith? How relevant is the ‘conscience clause’ to midwifery practice today? and What are participants’ understandings of Canon 1398 in relation to midwifery practice? Research design: The theoretical underpinning of this study was Gadamer’s hermeneutic out of which the method developed by Fleming et al. involving a five-stage approach was utilised. Participants and research context: The research was conducted in the south of Scotland. A purposive sampling method was used. Eight participants who were practising Roman Catholics familiar with the subject of conscientious objection who were either midw...
Research Interests: Sociology, Nursing, Applied Ethics, Conscience, Autonomy, and 6 moreFaith, Medicine, Rg, Rt, Nursing Ethics, and R
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Switzerland experiences one of the highest caesarean section rates in Europe but it is unclear why and when the decision is made to perform a caesarean section. Many studies have examined from a medical and physiological point of view,... more
Switzerland experiences one of the highest caesarean section rates in Europe but it is unclear why and when the decision is made to perform a caesarean section. Many studies have examined from a medical and physiological point of view, but research from a women’s standpoint is lacking. Our aim was to develop a model of the emerging expectations of giving birth and the subsequent experiences of healthy primigravid women, across four cantons in Switzerland. This longitudinal study included 30 primigravidae from the German speaking, 14 from the French speaking and 14 from the Italian speaking cantons who were purposively selected. Data were collected by semi-structured interviews taking place around 22 and 36 weeks of pregnancy and six weeks and six months postnatally. Following Gadamer’s hermeneutic, which in this study comprised 5 stages, a model was developed. Four major themes emerged: Decisions, Care, Influences and Emotions. Their meandering paths and evolution demonstrate the co...
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This article considers one of the philosophical sources of reflexivity, the concept of “pre-understandings” as envisaged by the German philosopher, Hans Georg Gadamer. There are a number of empirical research studies employing a... more
This article considers one of the philosophical sources of reflexivity, the concept of “pre-understandings” as envisaged by the German philosopher, Hans Georg Gadamer. There are a number of empirical research studies employing a Gadamerian approach, and while some authors may describe methods of examining pre-understandings and applying findings reflexively to hermeneutic enquiry, there remains a general lack of sufficient detail given over to the “how” in relation to this process. Furthermore, Gadamer describes how the “provoking” of one’s pre-understandings is required in order to make them realizable and this is rarely evident within authors’ work. As part of a hermeneutic research project exploring health professionals’ views of conscientious objection to abortion, we as a research team undertook a process of “provoking” our pre-understandings surrounding conscientious objection to abortion. This was undertaken by a preliminary discussion to examine our preunderstandings. A seco...
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Background In recent years, the role of a midwife has expanded to include the provision of abortion-related care. The laws on abortion in many European countries allow for those who hold a conscientious objection to participating to... more
Background In recent years, the role of a midwife has expanded to include the provision of abortion-related care. The laws on abortion in many European countries allow for those who hold a conscientious objection to participating to refrain from such participation. However, some writers have expressed concerns that this may have a detrimental effect on the workforce and limit women’s access to the service. Method The aim of this study was to provide a picture of the potential exposure midwives in Europe have to late abortions, an important factor in the integration of accommodation of conscientious objection to abortion by midwives into workload planning. We collected data from Ministries of Health or government statistical departments in 32 European countries on numbers of births, abortions, late abortions and midwives in 2016. We conducted a ratio-data analysis in those countries that met the inclusion criteria. Results Eighteen of the 32 countries provided full data; thus, our ca...
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Pregnant women in Switzerland expect safe and healthy birth outcomes for themselves and their babies. However, in 2018, 691 died in infancy with gaps identified in the provision of services to parents in such circumstances. Our study aims... more
Pregnant women in Switzerland expect safe and healthy birth outcomes for themselves and their babies. However, in 2018, 691 died in infancy with gaps identified in the provision of services to parents in such circumstances. Our study aims to illustrate these gaps and how, from participants’ perspectives, they were addressed. A hermeneutic method was employed to analyze three cases: one from each major language region was via primary health-care providers. A thematic analysis was carried out with individual participants followed by a cross-case comparison which showed a hermeneutic of rupture, the juxtaposition of time and reshaping the family. This article shows the unique journeys experienced by parents whose baby dies before or shortly after birth in one country where neither the language nor experience is shared. The derivation of three hermeneutic themes may resonate with other parents or health professionals.
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The historical literature on maternal death gives little attention to the problem in Scotland. Data in a popular, yet serious, national publication for 1739–1772 suggest that there was some public interest in the problem of maternal... more
The historical literature on maternal death gives little attention to the problem in Scotland. Data in a popular, yet serious, national publication for 1739–1772 suggest that there was some public interest in the problem of maternal mortality. This interest may have been associated with the democratization of many forms of knowledge, central to the Scottish Enlightenment. The publication of these data is linked to the little-known, but ground-breaking, work of Alexander Gordon on puerperal fever in Aberdeen, which long predated the study by Ignaz Semmelweis. This 18th-century publication is compared with the popular media of the 21st century.
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This paper explores the concept of migrant women as used in European healthcare literature in context of pregnancy to provide a clearer understanding of the concept for use in research and service delivery. Walker and Avant's method... more
This paper explores the concept of migrant women as used in European healthcare literature in context of pregnancy to provide a clearer understanding of the concept for use in research and service delivery. Walker and Avant's method of concept analysis. The literature demonstrates ambiguity around the concept; most papers do not provide an explicit or detailed definition of the concept. They include the basic idea that women have moved from an identifiable region/country to the country in which the research is undertaken but fail to acknowledge adequately the heterogeneity of migrant women. The paper provides a definition of the concept as a descriptive theory and argues that research must include a clear definition of the migrant specific demographics of the women. This should include country/region of origin and host, status within the legal system of host country, type of migration experience, and length of residence. There is a need for a more systematic conceptualization of...
Research Interests: Sociology, Nursing, Medicine, Pregnancy, Humans, and 5 moreEurope, Concept Formation, Female, Parturition, and Nursing practice
Despite a generally affluent society, the caesarean section rate in Switzerland has steadily climbed in recent years from 22.9% in 1998 to 33.7% in 2014. Speculation by the media has prompted political questions as to the reasons.... more
Despite a generally affluent society, the caesarean section rate in Switzerland has steadily climbed in recent years from 22.9% in 1998 to 33.7% in 2014. Speculation by the media has prompted political questions as to the reasons. However, there is no clear evidence as to why the Swiss rate should be so high especially in comparison with neighbouring countries. To describe the emerging expectations of giving birth of healthy primigravid women in the early second semester of pregnancy in four Swiss cantons. Qualitative individual interviews with 58 healthy primigravid women, were audio recorded, transcribed and subjected to thematic analysis. Recruitment took place through public and private hospitals, birth centres, obstetricians and independent midwives. The main ethical issues were informed consent, autonomy, confidentiality and anonymity. The three main themes identified were taking or avoiding decisions, experiencing a continuum of emotions and planning the care. Being pregnant ...
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Midwifery education is the foundation for preparing competent midwives to provide a high standard of safe, evidence-based care for women and their newborns. Global competencies and standards for midwifery education have been defined as... more
Midwifery education is the foundation for preparing competent midwives to provide a high standard of safe, evidence-based care for women and their newborns. Global competencies and standards for midwifery education have been defined as benchmarks for establishing quality midwifery education and practice worldwide. However, wide variations in type and nature of midwifery education programs exist. To explore and discuss the opportunities and challenges of a global quality assurance process as a strategy to promote quality midwifery education. Accreditation and recognition as two examples of quality assurance processes in education are discussed. A global recognition process, with its opportunities and challenges, is explored from the perspective of four illustrative case studies from Ireland, Kosovo, Latin America and Bangladesh. The discussion highlights that the establishment of a global recognition process may assist in promoting quality of midwifery education programs world-wide, ...
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Zusammenfassung Ziele: Nach Mitteilung einer mit dem Leben nicht zu vereinbarenden Diagnose des Kindes, werden Eltern mit der Entscheidung konfrontiert, die bereits weit fortgeschrittene Schwangerschaft vorzeitig zu beenden oder das Kind... more
Zusammenfassung Ziele: Nach Mitteilung einer mit dem Leben nicht zu vereinbarenden Diagnose des Kindes, werden Eltern mit der Entscheidung konfrontiert, die bereits weit fortgeschrittene Schwangerschaft vorzeitig zu beenden oder das Kind auszutragen, bis es spontan während der Schwangerschaft oder kurz nach der Geburt verstirbt. Diese meistens vollkommen überraschende Situation ist von der Unausweichlickeit des Verlustes geprägt und eng mit ethisch schwierigen Entscheidungen verknüpft. Ein solcher Verlust kann die psychische Gesundheit betroffener Eltern massiv belasten. Studien zeigen, dass bedürfnisorientierte Begleitung die Eltern entlastet, unabhängig von ihrer Entscheidung, die Schwangerschaft frühzeitig zu beenden oder fortzuführen. Ziele der Studie sind, das Unterstützungsangebot in der Schweiz aus Sicht betroffener Eltern und beteiligter Fachpersonen zu beleuchten und Entwicklungsmöglichkeiten der Versorgung aufzuzeigen. Dieser Artikel schildert die auf den Erfahrungen der E...
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This thesis provides an interpretative critique of the partnership of a group of independent midwives and their clients in urban New Zealand. A theoretical basis grounded in the principles of feminism but incorporating aspects of critical... more
This thesis provides an interpretative critique of the partnership of a group of independent midwives and their clients in urban New Zealand. A theoretical basis grounded in the principles of feminism but incorporating aspects of critical social science and postmodernism underpins both the methodological approach and analysis of data. The major concepts of subjectivity, power/knowledge and praxis have been utilised as tools for analysis of data, primarily collected through semi-structured interviews. Results of this study showed that while the partnership of midwife and client became increasingly intense as each pregnancy progressed, and participants reported that it was important that clients knew their midwives prior to labour, feelings of intimacy and trust only emerged during and after labour. Midwives in this study were aware of the power they had and the potential for abuse of this power despite the notion of partnership. It is argued that the reflexive processes involved with this research have motivated the participants to become aware that their knowledge and actions are shaped by aspects of the dominant social order. While collective political action by midwives and clients with a view to overcoming this was not fully demonstrated in this study, it is suggested that by engaging in this research there may be ongoing emancipatory effects for the participants and other midwives
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This article reflects upon the research process that uses critical social science as its basis. Some of the common criticisms of critical social science research are rebutted by following the research trail taken by the authors when... more
This article reflects upon the research process that uses critical social science as its basis. Some of the common criticisms of critical social science research are rebutted by following the research trail taken by the authors when undertaking their own projects. The similarities and differences of critical social science and the interpretative methodologies are outlined in the selection of study area, the relationship of the researcher and participants, ethical issues, and data collection and analysis. The writers conclude that critical social science research reports that are correctly carried out should be firmly grounded in each of these stages, thereby a foundation for nursing and midwifery practice.
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Mary Steen (Br J Midwifery 6(9): 572-9) has suggested that research is required urgently into the merits of perineal suturing following normal births. We are pleased to report that such a study has just commenced in central Scotland. The... more
Mary Steen (Br J Midwifery 6(9): 572-9) has suggested that research is required urgently into the merits of perineal suturing following normal births. We are pleased to report that such a study has just commenced in central Scotland. The two year study, funded by the Chief Scientist Office, The Scottish Office, is a randomized controlled trial of suturing versus non-suturing of first and second degree postpartum perineal tears in primiparous women. As suggested by Mary Steen, we found little research evidence which measured the benefits of suturing or non-suturing of the perineum. Our study, being carried out in a standardized manner, will examine differences in outcome between primiparous women who do and do not have suturing to first or second degree perineal lacerations sustained during spontaneous vaginal births between 37 and 42 weeks gestation.