Blurring the Boundaries Between Midwifery and Obstetrics: An Exploration of the Role of Midwife Practitioner in a Maternity Unit In Wales

This thesis explores the newly established role of midwife practitioner (MP) and its impact on midwives and obstetricians in a maternity unit in Wales. MPs manage the care of women at high obstetric risk and carry out aspects of care, such as assessment, diagnosis and the development of management plans, which in the past were predominantly performed by obstetricians. This qualitative study employs a focused ethnographic approach and uses a purposive sample. Phase one consisted of seven focus groups, which were held between May and August 2004, with midwives (n=48) from maternity units in Mid and South Wales. In Phase two, participant observation was undertaken with MPs (n=3) over a two-week period encompassing eight 12-hour night shifts, during November and December 2004. For Phase three, semi-structured interviews were conducted with midwives (n=10), clients (n=10) and obstetricians (n=7), between July and December 2005. Phases two and three were carried out in a maternity unit in South Wales.<br/><br/>The key findings of this study demonstrate that the lack of planning for the MP role inadvertently resulted in the creation of a distinct health care role, which encompasses positive aspects of both midwives' and obstetricians' work to provide safe and acceptable care for clients. The MPs in this study are committed to providing holistic care that takes into consideration the emotional and social needs of women and their families. In addition, these MPs are developing confidence and analytical skills, normally demonstrated by medical staff. However, further initiatives such as allowing MPs to prescribe, or to refer to other specialties, have not yet been adapted to support these new roles. It is too early to see the full impact of this role, but it is argued that it will have no significant effect on the work of the other midwives. MPs, however, do have the potential to impact upon the work of the obstetricians.<br/><br/>This study contributes to the current body of knowledge concerning policy and practice for maternity care by examining a new role early in its genesis. This study makes a number of recommendations, including extending the number of MPs employed in Wales, the need for careful planning of future extensions to the midwives' role and further research into the safety and effectiveness of the MP role.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

Doctoral Thesis

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Student thesis

Year dc:date.issued

2008

Author dc:creator

• Davies, Jacqueline

• Midwife Practitioner
• Midwifery
• Obstetrics
• Wales

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

oai:pure.atira.dk:studenttheses/40182058-a1b5-4628-961a-5a5d7ab92fc6

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:pure.atira.dk:studenttheses/40182058-a1b5-4628-961a-5a5d7ab92fc6