Abstract
Objective
The complex and challenging nature of rural midwifery is a global issue. New Zealand and Scotland both face similar ongoing challenges in sustaining a rural midwifery workforce, and understanding the best preparation for rural midwifery practice. This study aimed to explore the range of skills, qualities and professional expertise needed for remote and rural midwifery practice.
Design
Online mixed methods: An initial questionnaire via a confidential SurveyMonkey® was circulated to all midwives working with rural women and families in New Zealand and Scotland. A follow-up online discussion forum offered midwives a secure environment to share their views about the specific skills, qualities and challenges and how rural midwifery can be sustained. Data presented were analysed using qualitative descriptive thematic analysis.
Setting and participants
222 midwives participated in this online study with 145 from New Zealand and 77 from Scotland.
Findings
Underpinning rural midwifery practice is the essence of ‘fortitude’ which includes having the determination, resilience, and resourcefulness to deal with the many challenges faced in everyday practice and to safeguard midwifery care for women within their rural communities.
Key conclusions
Rural midwives in New Zealand and Scotland who work in rural practice specifically enhance skills such as preparedness, resourcefulness and developing meaningful relationships with women and other colleagues which enables them to safeguard rural birth.
Implications for practice
Findings will inform the preparation of midwives for rural midwifery practice.
The complex and challenging nature of rural midwifery is a global issue. New Zealand and Scotland both face similar ongoing challenges in sustaining a rural midwifery workforce, and understanding the best preparation for rural midwifery practice. This study aimed to explore the range of skills, qualities and professional expertise needed for remote and rural midwifery practice.
Design
Online mixed methods: An initial questionnaire via a confidential SurveyMonkey® was circulated to all midwives working with rural women and families in New Zealand and Scotland. A follow-up online discussion forum offered midwives a secure environment to share their views about the specific skills, qualities and challenges and how rural midwifery can be sustained. Data presented were analysed using qualitative descriptive thematic analysis.
Setting and participants
222 midwives participated in this online study with 145 from New Zealand and 77 from Scotland.
Findings
Underpinning rural midwifery practice is the essence of ‘fortitude’ which includes having the determination, resilience, and resourcefulness to deal with the many challenges faced in everyday practice and to safeguard midwifery care for women within their rural communities.
Key conclusions
Rural midwives in New Zealand and Scotland who work in rural practice specifically enhance skills such as preparedness, resourcefulness and developing meaningful relationships with women and other colleagues which enables them to safeguard rural birth.
Implications for practice
Findings will inform the preparation of midwives for rural midwifery practice.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 109-116 |
| Journal | Midwifery |
| Volume | 58 |
| Early online date | 19 Dec 2017 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Mar 2018 |
Keywords
- midwifery practice
- midwifery preparation for practice
- rural midwifery
- rural practice