Onilude, Olayemi ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0070-7949, Ojo, Omorogieva ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0071-3652, Evans, David ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6874-3845, Chopra, Priti, Crowley, John and Ade-Ojo, Gordon ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1098-0765 (2024) How does the pre-registration midwifery programme prepare the newly qualified midwives for their post-registration perinatal mental health role? A mixed methods study. Healthcare, 12 (23):2329. ISSN 2227-9032 (Online) (doi:10.3390/healthcare12232329)

Preview

PDF (Open Access Article) 48689 ONILUDE_How_Does_The_Pre-Registration_Midwifery_Programme_Prepare_The_Newly_Qualified_Midwives_(OA)_2024 (1).pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (928kB) | Preview

Abstract

Objective: In the United Kingdom (UK) and most countries worldwide, midwives are professionally required to undertake an initial perinatal mental health (PMH) risk assessment at every maternity contact. However, studies have found that midwives feel that they are not well-equipped to provide effective care for women with PMH needs. This study explores how the newly qualified midwives (NQMs) are prepared through pre-registration midwifery education and placements to have sufficient confidence in their knowledge, attitude, skills, and habits (KASH) for their post-registration PMH role. Methods: This explanatory sequential mixed methods study collected survey data from two independent groups: NQMs (n = 50), who qualified from 10 UK universities, and senior specialist midwives (SSMs) (n = 32). Descriptive and inferential responses were analysed using SPSS. Statistical differences between the ranged Likert scale responses of the NQMs and SSMs were analysed using the Mann-Whitney U test. The p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The semi-structured interview phase comprised of NQMs (n = 12) and SSMs (n = 8). The qualitative data were thematically analysed using NVivo. Results: The pre-registration midwifery programme significantly prepared the NQMs to have sufficient confidence in their knowledge of the related PMH role, multidisciplinary team (MDT) role, and available services (p < 0.05) and good attitude towards women with varying PMH conditions (p < 0.0005). The NQMs had sufficient confidence in their skills in using the validated tool for PMH assessment, to build rapport to facilitate disclosure, and recognise deteriorating PMH (p < 0.01). They had regular habits of discussing PMH well-being at booking and made prompt referrals (p < 0.05). The NQMs were not prepared to have sufficient knowledge of PMH medications, perinatal suicide prevention, and the impact of maternal mental health on partners (p < 0.01) including children (p < 0.05); skills in managing PMH emergencies (p < 0.05), and to regularly discuss suicidal thoughts (p < 0.01), issues of self-harm, and debrief women following pregnancy or neonatal losses and traumatic births (p < 0.05). Some aspects were either confirmed or contradicted at the interviews. Conclusions and recommendations: The pre-registration midwifery programme prepares the NQMs to some extent for their post-registration PMH role. Perceived areas for improvement suggest implications for the development of educational, practice, policy, and preceptorship to facilitate the NQMs’ sustainable confidence in their KASH.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This article belongs to the Section Women's Health Care.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	newly qualified midwives, midwifery education, perinatal mental health, student midwives
Subjects:	L Education > LC Special aspects of education > LC5201 Education extension. Adult education. Continuing education R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > RT Nursing
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Education (EDU) Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Health Sciences (HEA)
Related URLs:	https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/12/23/232...
Last Modified:	25 Nov 2024 12:16
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/48689

Actions (login required)

View Item

Downloads