Midwifery workplace culture in Sydney, Australia.

Catling, C; Rossiter, C; Cummins, A; McIntyre, E

Midwifery workplace culture in Sydney, Australia.

Catling, C

Rossiter, C

Cummins, A McIntyre, E

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Publisher:: Elsevier
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Women and Birth, 2021
Issue Date:: 2021-07-12

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Catling, C https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7352-2879
dc.contributor.author	Rossiter, C https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3833-3076
dc.contributor.author	Cummins, A
dc.contributor.author	McIntyre, E https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3970-9979
dc.date.accessioned	2021-12-01T01:38:12Z
dc.date.available	2021-07-05
dc.date.available	2021-12-01T01:38:12Z
dc.date.issued	2021-07-12
dc.identifier.citation	Women and Birth, 2021
dc.identifier.issn	1871-5192
dc.identifier.issn	1878-1799
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/151947
dc.description.abstract	Problem Aspects of the midwifery workplace culture have previously been measured as negative with limited leadership or support. Support for midwives is essential for them to face the complexity and workloads in Australian maternity units. Background Understanding the culture of the midwifery workplace is important to develop strategies to stem workforce attrition and to optimise care of women and their families. Aims This study aimed to assess midwives’ perceptions of workplace culture in two maternity units in Sydney, Australia, and compare the results with a national study using the same validated instrument. Method This study reports results using the Australian Midwifery Workplace Culture instrument (n = 49 midwives) and stakeholder groups (n = 10). Simple descriptive statistics were used, and the qualitative responses were analysed thematically. Findings Compared to the national sample, participants rated their workplace more favourably, especially their relationships with managers and colleagues. Over one-third (36.7%) considered that their workplace had a positive culture, compared with 27.9%. However, they rated their workplaces more negatively on time constraints and staff resources, and reported limited autonomy. Workplaces were highly medicalised which impacted their philosophy of woman-centred care and their ability to work autonomously. Discussion Factors related to collegiality in the workplace, relationship with managers, midwives’ intention to leave the profession and time constraints are discussed in comparison to the national study, as well as other relevant research. Conclusion Workplace collaboration, support, respect and understanding were extremely important to midwives, as were adequate staffing levels, teamwork and opportunities for further education.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Elsevier
dc.relation.ispartof	Women and Birth
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.wombi.2021.07.001
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	11 Medical and Health Sciences
dc.subject.classification	Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
dc.title	Midwifery workplace culture in Sydney, Australia.
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/DVC (Research)
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)/Institute For Sustainable Futures
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	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2021-12-01T01:38:10Z
pubs.publication-status	Published

Abstract:

Problem Aspects of the midwifery workplace culture have previously been measured as negative with limited leadership or support. Support for midwives is essential for them to face the complexity and workloads in Australian maternity units. Background Understanding the culture of the midwifery workplace is important to develop strategies to stem workforce attrition and to optimise care of women and their families. Aims This study aimed to assess midwives’ perceptions of workplace culture in two maternity units in Sydney, Australia, and compare the results with a national study using the same validated instrument. Method This study reports results using the Australian Midwifery Workplace Culture instrument (n = 49 midwives) and stakeholder groups (n = 10). Simple descriptive statistics were used, and the qualitative responses were analysed thematically. Findings Compared to the national sample, participants rated their workplace more favourably, especially their relationships with managers and colleagues. Over one-third (36.7%) considered that their workplace had a positive culture, compared with 27.9%. However, they rated their workplaces more negatively on time constraints and staff resources, and reported limited autonomy. Workplaces were highly medicalised which impacted their philosophy of woman-centred care and their ability to work autonomously. Discussion Factors related to collegiality in the workplace, relationship with managers, midwives’ intention to leave the profession and time constraints are discussed in comparison to the national study, as well as other relevant research. Conclusion Workplace collaboration, support, respect and understanding were extremely important to midwives, as were adequate staffing levels, teamwork and opportunities for further education.

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

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/151947