Midwives providing woman-centred care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia: A national qualitative study.

Stulz, VM; Bradfield, Z; Cummins, A; Catling, C; Sweet, L; McInnes, R; McLaughlin, K; Taylor, J; Hartz, D; Sheehan, A

Midwives providing woman-centred care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia: A national qualitative study.

Stulz, VM Bradfield, Z Cummins, A Catling, C

Sweet, L McInnes, R McLaughlin, K Taylor, J Hartz, D Sheehan, A

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Publisher:: Elsevier BV
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives, 2021
Issue Date:: 2021-10-14

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Stulz, VM
dc.contributor.author	Bradfield, Z
dc.contributor.author	Cummins, A
dc.contributor.author	Catling, C https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7352-2879
dc.contributor.author	Sweet, L
dc.contributor.author	McInnes, R
dc.contributor.author	McLaughlin, K
dc.contributor.author	Taylor, J
dc.contributor.author	Hartz, D
dc.contributor.author	Sheehan, A
dc.date.accessioned	2021-12-01T01:35:47Z
dc.date.available	2021-10-11
dc.date.available	2021-12-01T01:35:47Z
dc.date.issued	2021-10-14
dc.identifier.citation	Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives, 2021
dc.identifier.issn	1871-5192
dc.identifier.issn	1878-1799
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/151946
dc.description.abstract	<h4>Background</h4>The COVID-19 pandemic has caused isolation, fear, and impacted on maternal healthcare provision.<h4>Aim</h4>To explore midwives' experiences about how COVID-19 impacted their ability to provide woman-centred care, and what lessons they have learnt as a result of the mandated government and hospital restrictions (such as social distancing) during the care of the woman and her family.<h4>Methods</h4>A qualitative interpretive descriptive study was conducted. Twenty-six midwives working in all models of care in all states and territories of Australia were recruited through social media, and selected using a maximum variation sampling approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews between May to August, 2020. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analysed.<h4>Findings</h4>Two overarching themes were identified: 'COVID-19 causing chaos' and 'keeping the woman at the centre of care'. The 'COVID-19 causing chaos' theme included three sub-themes: 'quickly evolving situation', 'challenging to provide care', and 'affecting women and families'. The 'Keeping the woman at the centre of care' theme included three sub-themes: 'trying to keep it normal', 'bending the rules and pushing the boundaries', and 'quality time for the woman, baby, and family unit'.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Findings of this study offer important evidence regarding the impact of the pandemic on the provision of woman-centred care which is key to midwifery philosophy. Recommendations are made for ways to preserve and further enhance woman-centred care during periods of uncertainty such as during a pandemic or other health crises.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Elsevier BV
dc.relation.ispartof	Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.wombi.2021.10.006
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	11 Medical and Health Sciences
dc.subject.classification	Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
dc.title	Midwives providing woman-centred care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia: A national qualitative study.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.location.activity	Netherlands
utslib.for	11 Medical and Health Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Midwifery
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
dc.date.updated	2021-12-01T01:35:44Z
pubs.publication-status	Published

Abstract:

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused isolation, fear, and impacted on maternal healthcare provision.

Aim

To explore midwives' experiences about how COVID-19 impacted their ability to provide woman-centred care, and what lessons they have learnt as a result of the mandated government and hospital restrictions (such as social distancing) during the care of the woman and her family.

Methods

A qualitative interpretive descriptive study was conducted. Twenty-six midwives working in all models of care in all states and territories of Australia were recruited through social media, and selected using a maximum variation sampling approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews between May to August, 2020. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analysed.

Findings

Two overarching themes were identified: 'COVID-19 causing chaos' and 'keeping the woman at the centre of care'. The 'COVID-19 causing chaos' theme included three sub-themes: 'quickly evolving situation', 'challenging to provide care', and 'affecting women and families'. The 'Keeping the woman at the centre of care' theme included three sub-themes: 'trying to keep it normal', 'bending the rules and pushing the boundaries', and 'quality time for the woman, baby, and family unit'.

Conclusion

Findings of this study offer important evidence regarding the impact of the pandemic on the provision of woman-centred care which is key to midwifery philosophy. Recommendations are made for ways to preserve and further enhance woman-centred care during periods of uncertainty such as during a pandemic or other health crises.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/151946