Messages from space: An exploration of the relationship between hospital birth environments and midwifery practice

Hammond, AD; Homer, CSE; Foureur, M

Messages from space: An exploration of the relationship between hospital birth environments and midwifery practice

Hammond, AD

Homer, CSE

Foureur, M

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Health Environments Research and Design Journal, 2014, 7 (4), pp. 81 - 95
Issue Date:: 2014-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Hammond, AD https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2565-904X	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.issued	2014-01-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Health Environments Research and Design Journal, 2014, 7 (4), pp. 81 - 95	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1937-5867	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/33075
dc.description.abstract	Objective: To explore the relationship between the birth environment and the practice of midwifery using the theoretical approach of critical realism. BACKGROUND: The practice of midwifery has significant influence on the experiences and health outcomes of childbearing women. In the developed world most midwifery takes place in hospitals. The design and aesthetics of the hospital birth environment have an effect on midwives and inevitably play a role in shaping their practice. Despite this, knowledge about midwives' own thoughts and feelings regarding the design of hospital birth environments is limited. Methods: An exploratory descriptive methodology was used and 16 face-to-face photo-elicitation interviews were conducted with practicing midwives. Audio recordings were made of the interviews and they were transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis, informed by the theoretical framework of critical realism, was undertaken. Results: Midwives identified cognitive and emotional responses to varied birth environments and were able to describe the way in which these responses influenced their practice. The overarching theme of "messages from space" was developed along with three sub-themes: messages, feelings, and behaviors. Midwives' responses aligned with the three domains of a critical realist world-view and indicated that a relationship existed between hospital birth environments and midwifery practice. Conclusions: The design of hospital birth rooms may shape midwifery practice by generating cognitive and emotional responses, which influence the activities and behaviors of individual midwives.	en_US
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP110104108
dc.relation.ispartof	Health Environments Research and Design Journal	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1177/193758671400700407	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Delivery, Obstetric	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Midwifery	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Qualitative Research	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Hospital Design and Construction	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Workplace	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Health Facility Environment	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Australia	en_US
dc.title	Messages from space: An exploration of the relationship between hospital birth environments and midwifery practice	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	4	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	7	en_US
utslib.for	1110 Nursing	en_US
utslib.for	11 Medical and Health Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	12 Built Environment and Design	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.issue	4	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	7	en_US

Abstract:

Objective: To explore the relationship between the birth environment and the practice of midwifery using the theoretical approach of critical realism. BACKGROUND: The practice of midwifery has significant influence on the experiences and health outcomes of childbearing women. In the developed world most midwifery takes place in hospitals. The design and aesthetics of the hospital birth environment have an effect on midwives and inevitably play a role in shaping their practice. Despite this, knowledge about midwives' own thoughts and feelings regarding the design of hospital birth environments is limited. Methods: An exploratory descriptive methodology was used and 16 face-to-face photo-elicitation interviews were conducted with practicing midwives. Audio recordings were made of the interviews and they were transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis, informed by the theoretical framework of critical realism, was undertaken. Results: Midwives identified cognitive and emotional responses to varied birth environments and were able to describe the way in which these responses influenced their practice. The overarching theme of "messages from space" was developed along with three sub-themes: messages, feelings, and behaviors. Midwives' responses aligned with the three domains of a critical realist world-view and indicated that a relationship existed between hospital birth environments and midwifery practice. Conclusions: The design of hospital birth rooms may shape midwifery practice by generating cognitive and emotional responses, which influence the activities and behaviors of individual midwives.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/33075