Journal Articles
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Item Developing a community-based nursing and midwifery career pathway - A narrative systematic review(PLOS, 2019-03-28) Harvey C; Hegney D; Sobolewska A; Chamberlain D; Wood E; Wirihana L; Mclellan S; Hendricks J; Wake T; Brownie SMINTRODUCTION: Community nursing and midwifery is changing in response to a shift in care from hospital to home, brought about by increasing costs to care because of an aging population and increasing chronicity. Until now, community nursing positions and scope of practice has been dependent on service focus and location, which has led to the role being unclearly defined. Lack of appeal for a career in community practice and a looming workforce shortage necessitates a review into how community nursing and midwifery transition to practice is supported. METHODS: This review sought to identify, assess and summarize available evidence relating to transitioning into community nursing and midwifery practice as a speciality. A systematic review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses approach. A narrative synthesis was then undertaken on papers that examined community nursing and midwifery pathway perspectives which define, and enable or inhibit a contemporary pathway. Thematic analysis used a theoretical framework developed for early career and rapid transition to nursing specialty practice. RESULTS: There is a paucity of research that identifies community nursing and midwifery as a discreet scope of practice. Twelve papers were eventually included in the review. Verbatim findings were extracted from the papers and clustered into categories based on the chosen theoretical framework. Major themes were 'the self' (professional and personal); 'transition processes'; and, a 'sense of belonging'. Sub themes included narrative identifying inhibitors and enablers in each theme. DISCUSSION: No definition of community practice or pathway was identified in nursing, although midwifery was clearly defined. Community nursing practice was described as generalist in nature although specialist knowledge is required. Being part of the community in the professional sense and personal sense was considered important. The importance of transition was identified where pre-entry exposure to community practice was seen as important. Stages in transition to practice were recognised as pre-entry; incomer; insider; and, a sense of belonging. The process of transition should be planned and individualised acknowledging past experience whilst acknowledging the specialist nature of community-based practice.Item Evaluation of a nursing and midwifery exchange between rural and metropolitan hospitals: A mixed methods study(Public Library of Science, 2020) Byrne A-L; Harvey C; Chamberlain D; Baldwin A; Heritage B; Wood EIntroduction This paper reports on the findings of the Nursing and Midwifery Exchange Program, initiated to promote rural and remote nursing and midwifery, and to facilitate clinical skills development and clinical collaboration between health services in Queensland, Australia. The project was undertaken over an 18-month period in one state of Australia, offering structured, temporary exchange of personnel between metropolitan and rural health services. Background Globally, there is an increasing awareness of nursing shortages, and with it, the need to ensure that nurses and midwives are prepared for specialist roles and practice. This is particularly important in rural and remote areas, where there are pre-existing barriers to access to services, and difficulties in attracting suitably qualified, permanent staff. Methods A mixed methods approach to the evaluation was undertaken with two cohorts. One cohort was the nurses and midwives who participated in the exchange (n = 24) and the other cohort were managers of the participating health services (n = 10). The nurses and midwives who participated in the exchange were asked to complete a questionnaire that included questions related to embeddedness and job satisfaction. The managers participated in a Delphi series of interviews. Results Those who participated in exchange reporting a higher score on the reported degree of understanding of rural client, which was accompanied with a moderate-to-large effect size estimate (d = 0.61). Nurses/midwives in the exchange group reported higher scores on their perceptions of aspects of their home community that would be lost if they had to leave, which was accompanied with a large effect size (d = 0.83). Overall, NMEP was reported by the participants to be a positive way to improve professional development opportunities for nurses and midwives. The findings also show the program supported practical collaboration and raised the profile of nursing and midwifery in rural areas. Conclusion Exchange programs support clinical and professional development, raising the awareness of different contexts of practice and related skills requirements, and thereby supporting a greater understanding of different nursing roles. In the light of increasingly complex care required by patients with chronic conditions being managed in community-based services, programs such as NMEP provide the opportunity to build collaborative networks between referring and referral centres as well as contribute to the ongoing skills development.Item Promoting nurses' and midwives' ethical responsibilities towards vulnerable people: An alignment of research and clinical practice(John Wiley and Sons, Ltd, 2022-10) Baldwin A; Capper T; Harvey C; Willis E; Ferguson B; Browning NAIM: To stimulate discussion and debate about the inclusion of vulnerable populations in primary research to inform practice change and improve health outcomes. BACKGROUND: Current research practices to safeguard vulnerable people from potential harms related to power imbalances may in fact limit the generation of evidence-based practice. EVALUATION: The authors draw on their experience working and researching with a recognized group of vulnerable people, incarcerated pregnant women, to provide insight into the application of ethics in both research and clinical practice. In a novel approach, the ethical principles are presented in both contexts, articulating the synergies between them. Suggestions are presented for how individuals, managers and organizations may improve research opportunities for clinical practitioners and enhance the engagement of vulnerable people to contribute to meaningful practice and policy change. KEY ISSUES: Ethical practice guidelines may limit the ability to create meaningful change for vulnerable populations, who need authentic system change to achieve good health outcomes. CONCLUSION: Inclusive research and practice are essential to ensuring a strengths-based approach to healthcare and addressing health needs of the whole population. Health systems and models of care recognizing the diverse lives and health needs of the broader population demand practical, sustainable support from clinical managers. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Practical suggestions for clinical managers to support point of care research is provided, embedding vulnerable voices in policy, practice development and care provision.Item The grounded theory of Coalescence of Perceptions, Practice and Power: An understanding of governance in midwifery practice(John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2022-11) Ferguson B; Baldwin A; Henderson A; Harvey CAims This study aimed to understand midwifery care during labour, particularly decision-making processes, within Australian health systems. Background Midwifery, founded on a wellness model of motherhood, is at risk of being medicalized. Whilst medical intervention is lifesaving, it requires judicious use. Governance provides oversight to care. Exploring decision-making contributes to understanding governance of practices. Method Straussian grounded theory using semi-structured interviews. Eighteen Australian registered midwives were interviewed about their practice when caring for women during labour. Results Midwives were caught between divergent positions; birth as natural versus birth as risk. Experienced midwives discussed focussing on the woman, yet less experienced were preoccupied with mandatory protocols like early warning tools. Practice was governed by midwives approach within context of labour. The final theory: The Coalescence of Perceptions, Practice and Power, comprising three categories: perceptions and behaviour, shifting practice and power within practice, emerged. Conclusions Coalescence Theory elucidates how professional decision making by midwives during care provision is subject to power within practice, thereby governed by tensions, competing priorities and organizational mandates. Implications for Midwifery Managers Midwifery managers are well positioned to negotiate the nuanced space that envelopes birthing processes, namely, expert knowledge, policy mandates and staffing capability and resources, for effective collaborative governance. In this way, managers sustain good governance.