The experience of midwives who work in a dual role as nurse and midwife in rural facilities in North Queensland, Australia

Yates, Karen (2011) The experience of midwives who work in a dual role as nurse and midwife in rural facilities in North Queensland, Australia. In: Abstracts of the 29th Triennial Congress of the International Confederation of Midwives. S15. p. 332. From: ICM 2011: International Confederation of Midwives 29th Triennial Congress, 19-23 June 2011, Durban, South Africa.

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Abstract

Background: Closure of Australian rural birthing services due to workforce shortages has serious implications for birthing women, their families, and the community. It has also had a huge impact on midwives who may find themselves in positions where they are forced to work as both a rural generalist and a midwife within the same facility and even perhaps during the same shift. This has the potential to create role conflict or role ambiguity, a known factor that impacts on job satisfaction and workforce retention. This has serious implications for maternity workforce in rural areas, already experiencing shortages.

Aim: The aim of this study was to use a phenomenological approach to explore the experience of midwives who worked in a dual role of generalist nurse and midwife in a small rural hospital.

Method: A purposive sampling method was utilised and midwives working in a dual role in rural facilities were invited to participate in the study. Data was collected through the use of semi-structured interviews which were then transcribed and analysed using van Manen's methodological approach.

Ethics: Approval was granted by the relevant University and Health District Human Research Ethics Committee.

Key findings: Three themes were identified to illustrate the experience of working in a dual role as nurse and midwife in a rural areas.

These were:

1. "Because I choose to live here" (Choice/no choice)

2. "All in together, whatever the weather" (Integration)

3. "That's part of working in a small place" (Realities of rural).

Item ID: 46162
Item Type: Conference Item (Abstract / Summary)
Date Deposited: 27 Oct 2016 01:39
FoR Codes: 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1110 Nursing > 111006 Midwifery @ 100%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9205 Specific Population Health (excl. Indigenous Health) > 920506 Rural Health @ 50%
94 LAW, POLITICS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES > 9405 Work and Institutional Development > 940502 Professions and Professionalisation @ 50%
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