Research priorities of NSW midwives

Research is vital to achieve optimum health outcomes for pregnant women, children and families. Recently, the benefit of setting research priorities to effectively utilize limited resources has been identified. Currently there is a lack of published Australian research data relevant to the practice...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives 2007-06, Vol.20 (2), p.57-63
Main Authors: Reid, Judy, O’Reilly, Rebecca, Beale, Barbara, Gillies, Donna, Connell, Tanya
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Clinical Competence
Cohort Studies
Continuity of Patient Care - organization & administration
Evidence-based practice
Female
Humans
Male
Maternal Health Services - organization & administration
Middle Aged
Midwifery - education
Midwifery - organization & administration
Midwifery research
New South Wales - epidemiology
Nurse's Role
Nursing
Nursing Methodology Research
Nursing Research - organization & administration
Nursing Research - statistics & numerical data
Philosophy, Nursing
Pregnancy
Research priorities
Socioeconomic Factors
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:Research is vital to achieve optimum health outcomes for pregnant women, children and families. Recently, the benefit of setting research priorities to effectively utilize limited resources has been identified. Currently there is a lack of published Australian research data relevant to the practice of midwifery. Consultation with current practitioners is important to fulfill the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) key priority for a healthy start to life, ensure limited resources are expended appropriately and promote evidence-based midwifery practice. The aim of this study was to ascertain the perceived research priorities and the research experience of midwives in NSW, Australia. Postal questionnaire sent to the 1000 subscribers of Australian Midwifery, of whom 90% (900) are midwives, in March 2005 with key open-ended questions to ascertain midwifery research priorities and research experience of participants. Respondents were all midwives with 95% indicating they were currently practising as a midwife. They identified six priority areas: professional practice; clinical issues; education and support; breastfeeding; psychosocial factors; rural/indigenous issues. Priorities for research were identified and the need for a link between research and professional midwifery practice was highlighted. Midwives were positive about the possibility of becoming more actively involved in research and/or advocates for evidence based practice. The opportunity exists to take the broad priority areas from this study and develop research questions of relevance for the midwifery profession.
ISSN:1871-5192
1878-1799
DOI:10.1016/j.wombi.2007.03.001