School of Nursing and Midwifery Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia.
School of Business Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia.
Women Birth. 2024 Feb;37(1):206-214. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2023.09.002. Epub 2023 Sep 17.
Despite robust evidence on the benefits of midwifery group practice (MGP), there remains difficulties with implementing and sustaining the model. However, contemporary data on the MGP workforce and how each model has been operationalised are limited. This constrains an understanding of the factors that help or hinder implementation and sustainability of MGP.
To describe the characteristics of Australian MGPs and the factors that help or hinder sustainability.
A national cross-sectional survey was undertaken in Australia between March 2021 and July 2022, inclusive. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive analysis while qualitative data were analysed using content analysis.
Of 669 survey responses, 579 were midwives and 90 were managers. The mean years of experience for clinical midwives was eight years, and 47.8% (almost twice the national average) completed a Bachelor of Midwifery (BMid). Half (50.2%) the models provided care for women of all risk. Midwives resigned from MGP because of the MGP work conditions (30%) and how the service was managed or supported (12.7%). Managers resigned from MGP because of role changes, conflict with their manager, and limited support. Almost half (42.6%) of MGP managers also managed other areas, leading to heavy workloads, competing demands, and burnout.
The BMid appears to be a common educational pathway for MGP midwives, and many MGP services are providing care to women with complexities. Flexible practice agreements, organisational support and appropriate workloads are vital for recruitment, retention, and sustainability of MGP.
尽管有大量证据表明助产士小组实践（MGP）的益处，但在实施和维持该模式方面仍存在困难。然而，目前关于 MGP 劳动力的数据以及每个模型的运作方式都很有限。这限制了对有助于或阻碍 MGP 实施和可持续性的因素的理解。
描述澳大利亚 MGP 的特征以及有助于或阻碍可持续性的因素。
2021 年 3 月至 2022 年 7 月期间，在澳大利亚进行了一项全国性的横断面调查。使用描述性分析对定量数据进行分析，使用内容分析对定性数据进行分析。
在 669 份调查回复中，有 579 份来自助产士，90 份来自经理。临床助产士的平均工作年限为八年，其中 47.8%（几乎是全国平均水平的两倍）完成了助产学士学位（BMid）。一半（50.2%）的模式为所有风险的女性提供护理。助产士因 MGP 工作条件（30%）和服务管理或支持方式（12.7%）而从 MGP 辞职。经理因角色变化、与经理的冲突以及有限的支持而从 MGP 辞职。几乎一半（42.6%）的 MGP 经理还管理其他领域，导致工作量大、需求竞争激烈和倦怠。
BMid 似乎是 MGP 助产士的常见教育途径，许多 MGP 服务都为复杂性女性提供护理。灵活的实践协议、组织支持和适当的工作量对于 MGP 的招聘、留用和可持续性至关重要。
