Maternal, Childand Adolescent Program, Burnet Institute, Victoria, Australia.
The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: https://www.twitter.com/DaviesTuck.
Women Birth. 2021 Feb;34(1):e32-e37. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2020.09.013. Epub 2020 Sep 23.
The COVID-19 pandemic response has required planning for the safe provision of care. In Australia, privately practising midwives are an important group to consider as they often struggle for acceptance by the health system.
There are around 200 Endorsed Midwives eligible to practice privately in Australia (privately practising midwives) who provide provide the full continuum of midwifery care.
To explore the experience of PPMs in relation to the response to planning for the COVID-19 pandemic.
An online survey was distributed through social media and personal networks to privately practising midwives in Australia in April 2020.
One hundred and three privately practising midwives responded to the survey. The majority (82%) felt very, or well informed, though nearly half indicated they would value specifically tailored information especially from professional bodies. One third (35%) felt prepared regarding PPE but many lacked masks, gowns and gloves, hand sanitiser and disinfectant. Sixty four percent acquired PPE through social media community sharing sites, online orders, hardware stores or made masks. Sixty-eight percent of those with collaborative arrangements with local hospitals reported a lack of support and were unable to support women who needed transfer to hospital. The majority (93%) reported an increase in the number of enquiries relating to homebirth.
Privately practising midwives were resourceful, sought out information and were prepared. Support from the hospital sector was not always present. Lessons need to be learned especially in terms of integration, support, education and being included as part of the broader health system.
COVID-19 大流行应对措施需要为安全提供护理做好规划。在澳大利亚,私人执业的助产士是一个需要考虑的重要群体,因为她们往往难以被卫生系统接受。
澳大利亚有大约 200 名合格的私人执业助产士(私人执业助产士),她们可以提供完整的助产护理服务。
探讨私人执业助产士在应对 COVID-19 大流行规划方面的经验。
2020 年 4 月,通过社交媒体和个人网络向澳大利亚的私人执业助产士分发了在线调查。
103 名私人执业助产士对调查做出了回应。大多数人(82%)表示感到非常或充分知情,但近一半的人表示他们希望获得专门针对他们的信息,特别是来自专业机构的信息。三分之一(35%)的人表示对个人防护装备感到有准备,但许多人缺乏口罩、长袍和手套、洗手液和消毒剂。64%的人通过社交媒体社区共享网站、在线订单、五金店或自制口罩获得个人防护装备。与当地医院有合作安排的人中,有 68%报告缺乏支持,无法为需要转院的妇女提供支持。大多数人(93%)报告与家庭分娩相关的咨询数量有所增加。
私人执业助产士很有创造力,寻求信息并做好了准备。医院部门的支持并不总是存在。需要吸取教训,特别是在整合、支持、教育和被纳入更广泛的卫生系统方面。