Midwives' views and experiences of providing midwifery care in the task shifting context: a meta-ethnography approach
10.1016/j.glohj.2020.08.001
- Author:
Chunyi GU
1
,
2
,
3
;
Xiaojiao WANG
;
Lingling LI
;
Yan DING
;
Xu QIAN
Author Information
1. Nursing Department, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, 419 Fangxie Road, Shanghai 200011, China
2. School of Public Health, Fudan University, 138, Yi Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai 200032, China
3. Global Health Institute, Fudan University, 138, Yi Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai 200032, China
- Keywords:
Midwifery care;
Midwives;
Meta-ethnography;
Qualitative study;
Task shifting
- From:
Global Health Journal
2020;4(3):96-106
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective: This study aimed to explore the existing knowledge about midwives' views and experiences of providing care for women in the context of task shifting.Methods: We conducted a qualitative systematic review using meta-ethnography to describe the views and experiences of midwives on providing care in the context of task shifting. Comparative textual analysis of published qualitative studies involved translation of first-order key concepts and meanings from included studies to generate second-and third-order concepts. A grid was made to identify core findings and compare them reciprocally. Results: Thirty-six qualitative studies met the inclusion criteria. The literature comprised of 32 first key concepts. Eight second-order constructs emerged, and three third-order interpretations were generated. The three overarching themes were: (1) midwives perceived themselves as providing culturally competent and high quality women-centered care; (2) they valued their profession but saw it as complex and challenging; (3) as health professionals, they reported a variety of organizational, cultural, and professional barriers to providing women-centered care. Conclusions: While performing a specific task in the task shifting context, midwives perceived their crucial roles and responsibilities, along with achieved value and reward. However, due to a range of existing barriers, the caring task posed great challenges in completely implementing women-centered care. It is essential for systems to identify and eliminate these barriers early, to consider midwives' emotional well-being, and to develop overall strategies to better support the midwifery workforce. Policy makers and administrators should establish a supportive environment to facilitate midwives to perform women-centered caring tasks in more effective and efficient ways.
