Norwegian midwives' perceptions of their practice environment: A mixed methods study. Issue 4 (6th August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lukasse, Mirjam; Henriksen, Lena
• Is Part Of: Nursing open. Volume 6:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 1559
• Page End: 1570
• Publication Date: 2019-08-06
• Subjects: 610.73
• DOI: 10.1002/nop2.358
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2054-1058

Abstract

Abstract: Aim: To investigate Norwegian midwives' perceptions of their working environment. Design: A nationwide postal survey in 2014 collected information from 489 midwives, including the Practice Environment Scale and seven open‐ended questions concerning the workplace. Methods: Psychometric‐, descriptive‐ and comparative analysis was used for the quantitative data and content analysis for the qualitative data. Results: Psychometric analyses yielded five subscales: Quality of management; Resource adequacy; Midwife‐doctor relations; Opportunities for development; and Midwifery foundation for care . Content analyses identified four main themes: Lack of resources; Insufficient support; Staying in midwifery; and Lack of influence . Subthemes only found in the qualitative analysis were as follows: Fear of adverse events and The strain of shift work . Most midwives rated the PES subscales Midwife‐doctor relations and Quality of management favourable. In contrast, the theme Lack of influence showed that midwives felt powerless in a constantly changing work environment and ruled by the medical model of care.