The development of a caseload midwifery service in rural Australia

Tran, T; Longman, J; Kornelsen, J; Barclay, L

The development of a caseload midwifery service in rural Australia

Tran, T Longman, J Kornelsen, J Barclay, L

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Women and Birth, 2017, 30 (4), pp. 291 - 297
Issue Date:: 2017-08-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Tran, T	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Longman, J	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Kornelsen, J	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Barclay, L https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9345-3468	en_US
dc.date.available	2016-11-23	en_US
dc.date.issued	2017-08-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Women and Birth, 2017, 30 (4), pp. 291 - 297	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1871-5192	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/127021
dc.description.abstract	© 2016 Australian College of Midwives Problem The past two decades have seen progressive decline in the number of rural birthing services across Australia. Background Despite health system pressures on small birthing units to close there have been examples of resistance and survival. Aim This descriptive study explored the evolution of a rural birthing service in a small town to offer insight into the process of transition which may be helpful to other small healthcare services in rural Australia. Methods Quantitative data derived from birth registers on number and types of birth from 1993–2011 were analysed. Interviews were conducted between January and August 2012 with nine participants (GP obstetricians, midwives, a health service manager and a consumer representative). Findings This rural maternity service developed gradually from a GP obstetrician-led service to a collaborative care team approach with midwifery leadership. This development was in response to a changing rural medical workforce, midwifery capacity and the needs and wants of women in the local community. Four major themes were developed from interview data: (1) development of the service (2) drivers of change (3) outcomes and (4) collaborative care and inter-professional practice. Discussion The success of this transition was reported to rest on strategic planning and implementation and respectful inter-professional practice and alignment of birth philosophy across the team. This team created a unified, progressive community-focused birthing service. Conclusion The development of collaborative care models that embrace and build on established inter-professional relationships can maximise existing rural workforce potential and create a sustainable rural service into the future.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Women and Birth	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.wombi.2016.11.010	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Midwifery	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Rural Population	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Maternal Health Services	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Rural Health Services	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Australia	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.title	The development of a caseload midwifery service in rural Australia	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	4	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	30	en_US
utslib.for	1110 Nursing	en_US
utslib.for	11 Medical and Health Sciences	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
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	4	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	30	en_US

Abstract:

© 2016 Australian College of Midwives Problem The past two decades have seen progressive decline in the number of rural birthing services across Australia. Background Despite health system pressures on small birthing units to close there have been examples of resistance and survival. Aim This descriptive study explored the evolution of a rural birthing service in a small town to offer insight into the process of transition which may be helpful to other small healthcare services in rural Australia. Methods Quantitative data derived from birth registers on number and types of birth from 1993–2011 were analysed. Interviews were conducted between January and August 2012 with nine participants (GP obstetricians, midwives, a health service manager and a consumer representative). Findings This rural maternity service developed gradually from a GP obstetrician-led service to a collaborative care team approach with midwifery leadership. This development was in response to a changing rural medical workforce, midwifery capacity and the needs and wants of women in the local community. Four major themes were developed from interview data: (1) development of the service (2) drivers of change (3) outcomes and (4) collaborative care and inter-professional practice. Discussion The success of this transition was reported to rest on strategic planning and implementation and respectful inter-professional practice and alignment of birth philosophy across the team. This team created a unified, progressive community-focused birthing service. Conclusion The development of collaborative care models that embrace and build on established inter-professional relationships can maximise existing rural workforce potential and create a sustainable rural service into the future.

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

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/127021