NURSE MIDWIFERY PRACTICE IN SELECTED HOSPITAL AND NONHOSPITAL SETTINGS (MIDWIFERY).
Contributors: Columbia University. Teachers College.
Published: 1989
Number of pages: 216
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: The Nursing Process was used as the theoretical framework for this study to identify presumed differences and similarities in the practice of midwifery in selected hospital and non-hospital settings in England for the antepartum and labour and delivery periods.

Thirty-two midwives from a population of 60 hospital midwives and 30 midwives from a population of 40 non-hospital midwives completed and returned a questionnaire.

Subject responses to each item in the questionnaire were tallied in a hospital column and a non-hospital column. Percentages for each response category for each item were obtained for each group. The differences between the groups' response to a question were obtained by subtracting one group percentage from the other.

The sample size was small. It did not permit for tests of significance of difference between groups. Accordingly, it was decided to use minimum percentage difference of 20 between groups as an indication of a meaningful difference in midwifery practice.

Some of the similarities between hospital and non-hospital midwifery that were identified: (1) Non-hospital midwives were generally older and tended to have been married, whereas hospital midwives for the most part were younger and single. (2) Both groups of midwives gather information in the antepartum and labour and delivery periods. (3) Midwives from both settings use the Nursing Process.

Similarities in practice were related to: (1) The standards set for preparation and registration of midwifery practice. (2) The code of practice in accordance with the Midwives Act of 1951.

Some of the differences identified were: (1) Non-hospital midwives work more independently. (2) Non-hospital midwives provide continuity of care, usually for the same group of patients from booking through labour and delivery and beyond.

Differences in practice were related to: (1) The setting. (2) The type of patient. (3) Hospital management's utilization of midwives.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 50-08, Section: B, page: 3400.

Thesis (ED.D.)--COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY TEACHERS COLLEGE, 1989.

School code: 0055.