A baseline mixed-methods study on postpartum care among health professionals in Tanzania

ObjectivesA high functioning healthcare workforce is a key priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. We sought to determine how work and mental health for healthcare workers changed during the COVID-19 pandemic in a universal healthcare system, stratified by gender factors.DesignA mixed-methods study was employed. Phase 1 was an anonymous, internet-based survey (7 May–15 July 2020). Phase 2 was semistructured interviews offered to all respondents upon survey completion to describe how experiences may have differed by gender identity, roles and relations.SettingNational universal healthcare system (Canada).Participants2058 Canadian healthcare worker survey respondents (87% women, 11% men, 1% transgender or Two-Spirit), including 783 health professionals, 673 allied health professionals, 557 health support staff. Of the 63 unique healthcare worker types reported, registered nurses (11.5%), physicians (9.9%) and pharmacists (4.5%) were most common. Forty-six healthcare workers were interviewed.Main outcome measuresReported pandemic-induced changes to occupational leadership roles and responsibilities, household and caregiving responsibilities, and anxiety levels by gender identity.ResultsMen (19.8%) were more likely to hold pandemic leadership roles compared with women (13.4%). Women (57.5%) were more likely to report increased domestic responsibilities than men (45%). Women and those with dependents under the age of 10 years reported the greatest levels of anxiety during the pandemic. Interviews with healthcare workers further revealed a perceived imbalance in leadership opportunities based on gender identity, a lack of workplace supports disproportionately affecting women and an increase in domestic responsibilities influenced by gender roles.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic response has important gendered effects on the healthcare workforce. Healthcare workers are central to effective pandemic control, highlighting an urgent need for a gender-transformative pandemic response strategy.

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Development and evaluation of training resources to prepare health professionals for counselling pregnant women about non-invasive prenatal testing for Down syndrome: a mixed methods study

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth ◽

10.1186/s12884-017-1315-7 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Kerry Oxenford ◽

Rebecca Daley ◽

Celine Lewis ◽

Melissa Hill ◽

Lyn S. Chitty

Keyword(s):

Down Syndrome ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Prenatal Testing ◽

Mixed Methods Study ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Evaluation Of Training ◽

Training Resources

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Effective clinical supervision of allied health professionals: a mixed methods study

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-019-4873-8 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

David A. Snowdon ◽

Michelle Sargent ◽

Cylie M. Williams ◽

Stephen Maloney ◽

Kirsten Caspers ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Professional Development ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Qualitative Analysis ◽

Learning Style ◽

Clinical Supervision ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Allied Health ◽

Mixed Methods Study ◽

Supervisory Relationship ◽

Allied Health Professionals

Abstract Background Clinical supervision is recommended for allied health professionals for the purpose of supporting them in their professional role, continued professional development and ensuring patient safety and high quality care. The aim of this mixed methods study was to explore allied health professionals’ perceptions about the aspects of clinical supervision that can facilitate effective clinical supervision. Methods Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted on a purposive sample of 38 allied health professionals working in a metropolitan public hospital. Qualitative analysis was completed using an interpretive description approach. To enable triangulation of qualitative data, a quantitative descriptive survey of clinical supervision effectiveness was also conducted using the Manchester Clinical Supervision Scale (MCSS-26). Results Three main themes emerged from qualitative analysis: Allied health professionals reported that clinical supervision was most effective when their professional development was the focus of clinical supervision; the supervisor possessed the skills and attributes required to facilitate a constructive supervisory relationship; and the organisation provided an environment that facilitated this relationship together with their own professional development. Three subthemes also emerged within each of the main themes: the importance of the supervisory relationship; prioritisation of clinical supervision relative to other professional duties; and flexibility of supervision models, processes and approaches to clinical supervision. The mean MCSS-26 score was 79.2 (95%CI 73.7 to 84.3) with scores ranging from 44 to 100. MCSS-26 results converged with the qualitative findings with participants reporting an overall positive experience with clinical supervision. Conclusions The factors identified by allied health professionals that influenced the effectiveness of their clinical supervision were mostly consistent among the professions. However, allied health professionals reported using models of clinical supervision that best suited their profession’s role and learning style. This highlighted the need for flexible approaches to allied health clinical supervision that should be reflected in clinical supervision policies and guidelines. Many of the identified factors that influence the effectiveness of clinical supervision of allied health professionals can be influenced by health organisations.

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Risk Perception of Health Professionals in Intrapartum Care Decisions: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.21443 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Nina H Peterwerth ◽

Margareta Halek ◽

Sabrina Tulka ◽

Rainhild Schäfers

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Risk Perception ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Qualitative Data ◽

Mixed Methods Study ◽

Second Phase ◽

Intrapartum Care ◽

Decision Making Processes ◽

Qualitative Phase

BACKGROUND Risk perception plays an important role in decision-making processes. Differences in obstetric intervention rates suggest that, in addition to medical indications, the risk perception of obstetric health professionals might have a major influence on their decision-making process during childbirth. Although studies have investigated whether risk perception affects the role of midwifery or influences decision making during childbirth, little is known about what obstetric health professionals actually perceive as risk or risky situations and whether different risk perceptions lead to more interventions during intrapartum care. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to understand the association of risk perception and the decision-making processes of obstetric health professionals (midwives and obstetricians) in Germany during intrapartum care. The study has 3 specific aims: (1) gain insight into what obstetric health professionals perceive as risk in the German clinical setting, (2) assess the extent to which personal and systemic factors have an impact on obstetric health professionals’ risk perception, and (3) investigate whether different perceptions of risk are associated with different decisions being made by obstetric health professionals. METHODS This is an exploratory sequential mixed methods study with 2 phases, a qualitative followed by a quantitative phase. In the first phase, qualitative data are collected and analyzed by conducting focus group discussions and applying qualitative content analysis to address aim 1. In the second phase, for aims 2 and 3 and to help explain the qualitative results, quantitative data are collected and analyzed by conducting an observational study using case vignettes within a survey constructed on the basis of the qualitative results. RESULTS Enrollment in the first (qualitative) phase began in July 2019, and data collection and analysis have been completed. The second (quantitative) phase is currently planned, and data collection is expected to start in December 2020. First results of the qualitative phase are expected to be submitted for publication in 2020, with completion of the second phase scheduled for 2021. CONCLUSIONS This mixed methods study will examine the perception of risk and its association with the decision-making processes of obstetric health professionals during their care of women in childbirth. The rationale for this approach is that the qualitative data and their analysis explore participants' views in more depth, while the quantitative data will help to provide and explore a general understanding of the research problem. The results are expected to be relevant to health care professionals, policymakers, and educational institutions in order to minimize underuse, overuse, and misuse of interventions during intrapartum care. CLINICALTRIAL German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00017172; https://tinyurl.com/y2zoowkx INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/21443

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