The sustainability of midwifery group practice: A cross-sectional study of midwives and managers.

Hewitt, L; Dadich, A; Hartz, DL; Dahlen, HG

The sustainability of midwifery group practice: A cross-sectional study of midwives and managers.

Hewitt, L Dadich, A Hartz, DL Dahlen, HG

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Publisher:: ELSEVIER
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Women Birth, 2024, 37, (3), pp. 101602
Issue Date:: 2024-05

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Hewitt, L
dc.contributor.author	Dadich, A
dc.contributor.author	Hartz, DL
dc.contributor.author	Dahlen, HG
dc.date.accessioned	2024-10-22T03:25:20Z
dc.date.available	2024-03-16
dc.date.available	2024-10-22T03:25:20Z
dc.date.issued	2024-05
dc.identifier.citation	Women Birth, 2024, 37, (3), pp. 101602
dc.identifier.issn	1871-5192
dc.identifier.issn	1878-1799
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/181524
dc.description.abstract	PROBLEM: Although there is robust evidence for the benefits of midwifery group practice (MGP) caseload care, there are limited opportunities for women to access this model in Australia. There is also limited knowledge on how to sustain these services. BACKGROUND: MGP can benefit childbearing women and babies and improve satisfaction for women and midwives. However, sustainability of the model is challenging. While MGPs are often supported and celebrated, in Australia some services have closed, while others struggle to adequately staff MGPs. AIM: To investigate midwives and managers opinions on the management, culture, and sustainability of MGP. METHODS: A national survey of MGP midwives and managers was distributed (2021 and 2022). Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. RESULTS: A total of 579 midwives and 90 managers completed the survey. The findings suggest that many MGPs do not support new graduates and students to work in MGP. Over half (59.8%) the participants (midwives and managers) reported that the women and families were the best aspect about working in MGP, while 44.3% said the effects on midwives' lifestyle and families were the worst aspect. DISCUSSION: The relationship with women remains the major motivator for providing MGP care. However, work-life imbalance is a deterrent, exacerbated by staffing shortages. Staffing might be improved by adequate renumeration, strengthening orientation, and attracting new graduates and students through experience in MGP. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to attract midwives to MGP and improve work-life balance and sustainability.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	ELSEVIER
dc.relation.ispartof	Women Birth
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.wombi.2024.101602
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	11 Medical and Health Sciences
dc.subject.classification	Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
dc.subject.classification	3215 Reproductive medicine
dc.subject.classification	4204 Midwifery
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Midwifery
dc.subject.mesh	Cross-Sectional Studies
dc.subject.mesh	Australia
dc.subject.mesh	Surveys and Questionnaires
dc.subject.mesh	Group Practice
dc.subject.mesh	Nurse Midwives
dc.subject.mesh	Qualitative Research
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Cross-Sectional Studies
dc.subject.mesh	Midwifery
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy
dc.subject.mesh	Qualitative Research
dc.subject.mesh	Nurse Midwives
dc.subject.mesh	Group Practice
dc.subject.mesh	Australia
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Surveys and Questionnaires
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Midwifery
dc.subject.mesh	Cross-Sectional Studies
dc.subject.mesh	Australia
dc.subject.mesh	Surveys and Questionnaires
dc.subject.mesh	Group Practice
dc.subject.mesh	Nurse Midwives
dc.subject.mesh	Qualitative Research
dc.title	The sustainability of midwifery group practice: A cross-sectional study of midwives and managers.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	37
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
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2024-10-22T03:25:18Z
pubs.issue	3
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	37
utslib.citation.issue	3

Abstract:

PROBLEM: Although there is robust evidence for the benefits of midwifery group practice (MGP) caseload care, there are limited opportunities for women to access this model in Australia. There is also limited knowledge on how to sustain these services. BACKGROUND: MGP can benefit childbearing women and babies and improve satisfaction for women and midwives. However, sustainability of the model is challenging. While MGPs are often supported and celebrated, in Australia some services have closed, while others struggle to adequately staff MGPs. AIM: To investigate midwives and managers opinions on the management, culture, and sustainability of MGP. METHODS: A national survey of MGP midwives and managers was distributed (2021 and 2022). Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. RESULTS: A total of 579 midwives and 90 managers completed the survey. The findings suggest that many MGPs do not support new graduates and students to work in MGP. Over half (59.8%) the participants (midwives and managers) reported that the women and families were the best aspect about working in MGP, while 44.3% said the effects on midwives' lifestyle and families were the worst aspect. DISCUSSION: The relationship with women remains the major motivator for providing MGP care. However, work-life imbalance is a deterrent, exacerbated by staffing shortages. Staffing might be improved by adequate renumeration, strengthening orientation, and attracting new graduates and students through experience in MGP. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to attract midwives to MGP and improve work-life balance and sustainability.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/181524