Midwifery Job Autonomy in New Zealand: I do it all the time

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aut.relation.journalWomen and Birthen_NZ
aut.relation.volumeaccepted 7 September 2020en_NZ
aut.researcherClemons, Janine Helen
dc.contributor.authorClemons, Jen_NZ
dc.contributor.authorGilkison, Aen_NZ
dc.contributor.authorMharapara, Ten_NZ
dc.contributor.authorDixon, Len_NZ
dc.contributor.authorMcAra-Couper, Jen_NZ
dc.date.accessioned2020-09-22T00:04:26Z
dc.date.available2020-09-22T00:04:26Z
dc.date.copyright2020-09-07en_NZ
dc.date.issued2020-09-07en_NZ
dc.description.abstractIntroduction This research aimed to identify what supports and what hinders job autonomy for midwives in New Zealand. Methods Registered midwives participated in an open-ended, online survey in 2019. Anonymised participants were asked to describe an incident when they felt they were using their professional judgement and/or initiative to make decisions and the resultant actions. The data was analysed thematically. Findings The participants identified that autonomy is embedded within midwifery practice in New Zealand. Self-employed midwives who provide continuity of care as Lead Maternity Carers, identified they practice autonomously ‘all the time’. The relationship with women and their family, and informed decision making, motivated the midwife to advocate for the woman – regardless of the midwife’s work setting. Midwifery expertise, skills, and knowledge were intrinsic to autonomy. Collegial relationships could support or hinder the midwives’ autonomy while a negative hospital work culture could hinder job autonomy. Discussion Midwives identified that autonomous practice is embedded in their day to day work. It strengthens and is strengthened by their relationships with the woman/whanau and when their body of knowledge is acknowledged by their colleagues. Job autonomy was described when midwifery decisions were challenged by health professionals in hospital settings and these challenges could be viewed as obstructing job autonomy. Conclusion The high job autonomy that New Zealand midwives enjoy is supported by their expertise, the women and colleagues that understand and respect their scope of practice. When their autonomy is hindered by institutional culture and professional differences provision of woman-centred care can suffer.en_NZ
dc.identifier.citationWomen Birth (2020), https:// doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2020.09.004
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.wombi.2020.09.004
dc.identifier.issn1871-5192en_NZ
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10292/13676
dc.languageEnglishen_NZ
dc.publisherElsevieren_NZ
dc.relation.urihttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1871519220303218?via%3Dihub
dc.rights© 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Australian College of Midwives. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
dc.rights.accessrightsOpenAccessen_NZ
dc.subjectAutonomy; Critical Incident Technique; Midwifery; Thematic Analysisen_NZ
dc.titleMidwifery Job Autonomy in New Zealand: I do it all the timeen_NZ
dc.typeJournal Article
pubs.elements-id391638
pubs.organisational-data/AUT
pubs.organisational-data/AUT/Faculty of Business, Economics and Law
pubs.organisational-data/AUT/Faculty of Business, Economics and Law/Management
pubs.organisational-data/AUT/Health & Environmental Science
pubs.organisational-data/AUT/Health & Environmental Science/Clinical Sciences
pubs.organisational-data/AUT/PBRF
pubs.organisational-data/AUT/PBRF/PBRF Health and Environmental Sciences
pubs.organisational-data/AUT/PBRF/PBRF Health and Environmental Sciences/HH Clinical Sciences 2018 PBRF
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