Mobile technologies and communication strategies in an urban Midwifery Group Practice setting. An exploratory study |
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| Authors: | Amanda Forti Helen Stapleton Sue Kildea |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Australian Catholic University, McAuley Campus, PO Box 456, Virginia, Qld 4014, Australia;2. Mater Research, Women''s Health and Newborn Services (Maternity), Mater Health Services, Level 1, Aubigny Place, Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane, Qld 4101, Australia;1. School of Nursing and Midwifery, Maternity and Family Unit, Research Centre for Clinical and Community Practice Innovation (RCCCPI), Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, University Drive, Meadowbrook, Queensland 4131, Australia;2. Gold Coast Hospital, Nerang Street, Southport, Queensland 4211, Australia;1. Women and Infants Research Foundation, Perth, Western Australia, Australia;2. School of Engineering, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia;3. King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women, Perth, Western Australia, Australia;4. Combined University Centre for Rural Health, Geraldton, Western Australia, Australia;5. School of Women’s and Infants’ Health, University of Western Australia, Australia;1. Australian Catholic University, 1100 Nudgee Road, Banyo, Qld. 4014, Australia;2. Mater Research and Mater Health Services, Level 1, Aubigny Place, Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane, Qld 4101, Australia;3. School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College, 24 D’Olier Street, Dublin 2, Ireland;4. School of Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Qld. 4059, Australia;1. Faculty of Health Sciences, Nursing Program, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Canada;2. Durham Region Health Department, Canada;3. Teaching and Learning Centre, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Canada;4. Reproductive and Child Health, Durham Region Health Department, Canada;5. Faculty of Business and Information Technology, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Canada;6. Lawrence S Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing and Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael''s, Canada;1. Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Australia;2. Centre for Midwifery, Child and Family Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Australia |
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| Abstract: | BackgroundAround-the-clock access to a known midwife is a distinct feature of Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) and caseload midwifery settings; although the literature suggests this aspect of working life may hinder recruitment and retention to this model of care. Mobile technologies, known as mHealth where they are used in health care, facilitate access and hence communication, however little is known about this area of midwifery practice.Research questionWhich communication modalities are used, and most frequently, by MGP midwives and clients?MethodsA prospective, cross sectional design included a purposive sample of MGP midwives from an Australian tertiary maternity hospital. Data on modes of midwife–client contact were collected 24 h/day, for two consecutive weeks, and included: visits, phone-calls, texts and emails. Demographic data were also collected.FindingsDetails about 1442 midwife–client contacts were obtained. The majority of contact was via text, between the hours of 07:00 and 14:59, with primiparous women, when the primary midwife was on-call. An average of 96 contacts per fortnight occurred.ConclusionThe majority of contact was between the midwife and their primary clients, reiterating a key tenet of caseload models and confirming mobile technologies as a significant and evolving aspect of practice. The pattern of contact within social (or daytime) hours is reassuring for midwives considering caseload midwifery, who are concerned about the on-call burden. The use of text as the preferred communication modality raises issues regarding data security and retrieval, accountability, confidentiality and text management during off-duty periods. The development of Australian-wide guidelines to inform local policies and best practice is recommended. |
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| Keywords: | Midwifery Maternity Text messaging SMS Caseload MGP Continuity mHealth |
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