Friendliness, functionality and freedom: Design characteristics that support midwifery practice in the hospital setting

Hammond,, A; Homer, CSE; Foureur, M

Friendliness, functionality and freedom: Design characteristics that support midwifery practice in the hospital setting

Hammond,, A Homer, CSE

Foureur, M

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Midwifery, 2017, 50 pp. 133 - 138
Issue Date:: 2017-07-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Hammond,, A	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Homer, CSE https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7454-3011	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Foureur, M https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0454-0165	en_US
dc.date.available	2020-05-25T19:01:45Z
dc.date.issued	2017-07-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Midwifery, 2017, 50 pp. 133 - 138	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	0266-6138	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/115210
dc.description.abstract	© 2017 Elsevier Ltd Objective to identify and describe the design characteristics of hospital birth rooms that support midwives and their practice. Design this study used a qualitative exploratory descriptive methodology underpinned by the theoretical approach of critical realism. Data was collected through 21 in-depth, face-to-face photo-elicitation interviews and a thematic analysis guided by study objectives and the aims of exploratory research was undertaken. Setting the study was set at a recently renovated tertiary hospital in a large Australian city. Participants participants were 16 registered midwives working in a tertiary hospital; seven in delivery suite and nine in birth centre settings. Experience as a midwife ranged from three to 39 years and the sample included midwives in diverse roles such as educator, student support and unit manager. Findings three design characteristics were identified that supported midwifery practice. They were friendliness, functionality and freedom. Friendly rooms reduced stress and increased midwives' feelings of safety. Functional rooms enabled choice and provided options to better meet the needs of labouring women. And freedom allowed for flexible, spontaneous and responsive midwifery practice. Conclusion hospital birth rooms that possess the characteristics of friendliness, functionality and freedom offer enhanced support for midwives and may therefore increase effective care provision. Implications for practice new and existing birth rooms can be designed or adapted to better support the wellbeing and effectiveness of midwives and may thereby enhance the quality of midwifery care delivered in the hospital. Quality midwifery care is associated with positive outcomes and experiences for labouring women. Further research is required to investigate the benefit that may be transmitted to women by implementing design intended to support and enhance midwifery practice.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Midwifery	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.midw.2017.03.025	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Nursing	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Attitude of Health Personnel	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Midwifery	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Qualitative Research	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Freedom	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Hospital Design and Construction	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Delivery Rooms	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Professional Autonomy	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Australia	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Tertiary Care Centers	en_US
dc.title	Friendliness, functionality and freedom: Design characteristics that support midwifery practice in the hospital setting	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	50	en_US
utslib.for	1110 Nursing	en_US
utslib.for	1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine	en_US
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Midwifery
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - WHO CC
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	50	en_US

Abstract:

© 2017 Elsevier Ltd Objective to identify and describe the design characteristics of hospital birth rooms that support midwives and their practice. Design this study used a qualitative exploratory descriptive methodology underpinned by the theoretical approach of critical realism. Data was collected through 21 in-depth, face-to-face photo-elicitation interviews and a thematic analysis guided by study objectives and the aims of exploratory research was undertaken. Setting the study was set at a recently renovated tertiary hospital in a large Australian city. Participants participants were 16 registered midwives working in a tertiary hospital; seven in delivery suite and nine in birth centre settings. Experience as a midwife ranged from three to 39 years and the sample included midwives in diverse roles such as educator, student support and unit manager. Findings three design characteristics were identified that supported midwifery practice. They were friendliness, functionality and freedom. Friendly rooms reduced stress and increased midwives' feelings of safety. Functional rooms enabled choice and provided options to better meet the needs of labouring women. And freedom allowed for flexible, spontaneous and responsive midwifery practice. Conclusion hospital birth rooms that possess the characteristics of friendliness, functionality and freedom offer enhanced support for midwives and may therefore increase effective care provision. Implications for practice new and existing birth rooms can be designed or adapted to better support the wellbeing and effectiveness of midwives and may thereby enhance the quality of midwifery care delivered in the hospital. Quality midwifery care is associated with positive outcomes and experiences for labouring women. Further research is required to investigate the benefit that may be transmitted to women by implementing design intended to support and enhance midwifery practice.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/115210