Culturally capable and culturally safe: caseload care for Indigenous women by Indigenous midwifery students

West, R., Gamble, J., Kelly, J., Milne, T., Duffy, E., and Sidebotham, M. (2016) Culturally capable and culturally safe: caseload care for Indigenous women by Indigenous midwifery students. Women and Birth, 29 (6). pp. 524-530.

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Abstract

Background: Evidence is emerging of the benefits to students of providing continuity of midwifery care as a learning strategy in midwifery education, however little is known about the value of this strategy for midwifery students.

Aim: To explore Indigenous students' perceptions of providing continuity of midwifery care to Indigenous women whilst undertaking a Bachelor of Midwifery.

Methods: Indigenous Bachelor of Midwifery students' experiences of providing continuity of midwifery care to Indigenous childbearing women were explored within an Indigenous research approach using a narrative inquiry framework. Participants were three Indigenous midwifery students who provided continuity of care to Indigenous women.

Findings: Three interconnected themes; facilitating connection, being connected, and journeying with the woman. These themes contribute to the overarching finding that the experience of providing continuity of care for Indigenous women creates a sense of personal affirmation, purpose and a validation of cultural identity in Indigenous students.

Discussion and Conclusions: Midwifery philosophy aligns strongly with the Indigenous health philosophy and this provides a learning platform for Indigenous student midwives. Privileging Indigenous culture within midwifery education programs assists students develop a sense of purpose and affirms them in their emerging professional role and within their community. The findings from this study illustrate the demand for, and pertinence of, continuity of care midwifery experiences with Indigenous women as fundamental to increasing the Indigenous midwifery workforce in Australia. Australian universities should provide this experience for Indigenous student midwives.

Item ID: 44121
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1878-1799
Keywords: health services, Indigenous; midwifery; education; students
Funders: Queensland Health (QH)
Date Deposited: 11 Aug 2016 02:40
FoR Codes: 42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4204 Midwifery > 420402 Models of care and place of birth @ 80%
45 INDIGENOUS STUDIES > 4504 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing > 450413 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander midwifery and paediatrics @ 20%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9202 Health and Support Services > 920299 Health and Support Services not elsewhere classified @ 50%
92 HEALTH > 9203 Indigenous Health > 920399 Indigenous Health not elsewhere classified @ 50%
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