The buck stops here: Midwives and maternity care in rural Scotland

Authors: Harris, F.M., van Teijlingen, E., Hundley, V., Farmer, J., Bryers, H., Caldow, J., Ireland, J., Kiger, A. and Tucker, J.

Journal: Midwifery

Volume: 27

Issue: 3

Pages: 301-307

ISSN: 0266-6138

DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2010.10.007

Abstract:

Objective: to explore and understand what it means to provide midwifery care in remote and rural Scotland. Design: qualitative interviews with 72 staff from 10 maternity units, analysed via a case study approach. Setting: remote and rural areas of Scotland. Participants: predominantly midwives, with some additional interviews with paramedics, general surgeons, anaesthetists and GPs. Findings: remote and rural maternity care includes a range of settings and models of care. However, the impact of rural geographies on decision-making and risk assessment is common to all settings. Making decisions and dealing with the implications of these decisions is, in many cases, done without onsite specialist support. This has implications for the skills and competencies that are needed to practice midwifery in remote and rural settings. Whereas most rural midwives reported that their skills in risk assessment and decisions to transfer were well developed and appropriate to practising in their particular settings, they perceived these decisions to be under scrutiny by urban-based colleagues and felt the need to stress their competence in the face of what they imagined to be stereotypes of rural incompetence. Conclusions: this study shows that skills in risk assessment and decision-making are central to high quality remote and rural midwifery care. However, linked to different perspectives on care, there is a risk that these skills can be undermined by contact with colleagues in large urban units, particularly when staff do not know each other well. There is a need to develop a professional understanding between midwives in different locations. Implications for practice: it is important for the good working relationships between urban and rural maternity units that all midwives understand the importance of contextual knowledge in both decisions to transfer from rural locations and the position of midwives in receiving units. Multiprofessional CPD courses have been effective in bringing together teams around obstetric emergencies; we suggest that a similar format may be required in considering issues of transfer. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.

Source: Scopus

The buck stops here: midwives and maternity care in rural Scotland.

Authors: Harris, F.M., van Teijlingen, E., Hundley, V., Farmer, J., Bryers, H., Caldow, J., Ireland, J., Kiger, A. and Tucker, J.

Journal: Midwifery

Volume: 27

Issue: 3

Pages: 301-307

eISSN: 1532-3099

DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2010.10.007

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To explore and understand what it means to provide midwifery care in remote and rural Scotland. DESIGN: Qualitative interviews with 72 staff from 10 maternity units, analysed via a case study approach. SETTING: Remote and rural areas of Scotland. PARTICIPANTS: Predominantly midwives, with some additional interviews with paramedics, general surgeons, anaesthetists and GPs. FINDINGS: Remote and rural maternity care includes a range of settings and models of care. However, the impact of rural geographies on decision-making and risk assessment is common to all settings. Making decisions and dealing with the implications of these decisions is, in many cases, done without onsite specialist support. This has implications for the skills and competencies that are needed to practice midwifery in remote and rural settings. Whereas most rural midwives reported that their skills in risk assessment and decisions to transfer were well developed and appropriate to practising in their particular settings, they perceived these decisions to be under scrutiny by urban-based colleagues and felt the need to stress their competence in the face of what they imagined to be stereotypes of rural incompetence. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that skills in risk assessment and decision-making are central to high quality remote and rural midwifery care. However, linked to different perspectives on care, there is a risk that these skills can be undermined by contact with colleagues in large urban units, particularly when staff do not know each other well. There is a need to develop a professional understanding between midwives in different locations. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: It is important for the good working relationships between urban and rural maternity units that all midwives understand the importance of contextual knowledge in both decisions to transfer from rural locations and the position of midwives in receiving units. Multiprofessional CPD courses have been effective in bringing together teams around obstetric emergencies; we suggest that a similar format may be required in considering issues of transfer.

Source: PubMed

The buck stops here: Midwives and maternity care in rural Scotland

Authors: Harris, F.M., van Teijlingen, E., Hundley, V., Farmer, J., Bryers, H., Caldow, J., Ireland, J., Kiger, A. and Tucker, J.

Journal: MIDWIFERY

Volume: 27

Issue: 3

Pages: 301-307

ISSN: 0266-6138

DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2010.10.007

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

The buck stops here: Midwives and maternity care in rural Scotland

Authors: Harris, F., van Teijlingen, E., Hundley, V., Farmer, J., Bryers, H., Caldow, J., Ireland, J., Kiger, A. and Tucker, J.S.

Journal: Midwifery

ISSN: 0266-6138

DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2010.10.007

Abstract:

Abstract Objective to explore and understand what it means to provide midwifery care in remote and rural Scotland.

Design qualitative interviews with 72 staff from 10 maternity units, analysed via a case study approach.

Setting remote and rural areas of Scotland.

Participants predominantly midwives, with some additional interviews with paramedics, general surgeons, anaesthetists and GPs.

Findings remote and rural maternity care includes a range of settings and models of care. However, the impact of rural geographies on decision-making and risk assessment is common to all settings. Making decisions and dealing with the implications of these decisions is, in many cases, done without onsite specialist support. This has implications for the skills and competencies that are needed to practice midwifery in remote and rural settings. Whereas most rural midwives reported that their skills in risk assessment and decisions to transfer were well developed and appropriate to practising in their particular settings, they perceived these decisions to be under scrutiny by urban-based colleagues and felt the need to stress their competence in the face of what they imagined to be stereotypes of rural incompetence.

Conclusions this study shows that skills in risk assessment and decision-making are central to high quality remote and rural midwifery care. However, linked to different perspectives on care, there is a risk that these skills can be undermined by contact with colleagues in large urban units, particularly when staff do not know each other well. There is a need to develop a professional understanding between midwives in different locations.

Implications for practice it is important for the good working relationships between urban and rural maternity units that all midwives understand the importance of contextual knowledge in both decisions to transfer from rural locations and the position of midwives in receiving units. Multiprofessional CPD courses have been effective in bringing together teams around obstetric emergencies; we suggest that a similar format may be required in considering issues of transfer.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WN9-51YXM95-3&_user=152381&_coverDate=01%2F17%2F2011&_rdoc=6&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_origin=browse&_zone=rslt_list_item&_srch=doc-info(%23toc%236957%239999%23999999999%2399999%23FLA%23display%23Ar

Source: Manual

Preferred by: Edwin van Teijlingen and Vanora Hundley

The buck stops here: midwives and maternity care in rural Scotland.

Authors: Harris, F.M., van Teijlingen, E., Hundley, V., Farmer, J., Bryers, H., Caldow, J., Ireland, J., Kiger, A. and Tucker, J.

Journal: Midwifery

Volume: 27

Issue: 3

Pages: 301-307

eISSN: 1532-3099

ISSN: 0266-6138

DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2010.10.007

Abstract:

Objective

To explore and understand what it means to provide midwifery care in remote and rural Scotland.

Design

Qualitative interviews with 72 staff from 10 maternity units, analysed via a case study approach.

Setting

Remote and rural areas of Scotland.

Participants

Predominantly midwives, with some additional interviews with paramedics, general surgeons, anaesthetists and GPs.

Findings

Remote and rural maternity care includes a range of settings and models of care. However, the impact of rural geographies on decision-making and risk assessment is common to all settings. Making decisions and dealing with the implications of these decisions is, in many cases, done without onsite specialist support. This has implications for the skills and competencies that are needed to practice midwifery in remote and rural settings. Whereas most rural midwives reported that their skills in risk assessment and decisions to transfer were well developed and appropriate to practising in their particular settings, they perceived these decisions to be under scrutiny by urban-based colleagues and felt the need to stress their competence in the face of what they imagined to be stereotypes of rural incompetence.

Conclusions

This study shows that skills in risk assessment and decision-making are central to high quality remote and rural midwifery care. However, linked to different perspectives on care, there is a risk that these skills can be undermined by contact with colleagues in large urban units, particularly when staff do not know each other well. There is a need to develop a professional understanding between midwives in different locations.

Implications for practice

It is important for the good working relationships between urban and rural maternity units that all midwives understand the importance of contextual knowledge in both decisions to transfer from rural locations and the position of midwives in receiving units. Multiprofessional CPD courses have been effective in bringing together teams around obstetric emergencies; we suggest that a similar format may be required in considering issues of transfer.

Source: Europe PubMed Central