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Giving midwives a voice: Qualitative perspectives of an ‘empowering decision‐making workshop
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Giving midwives a voice: Qualitative perspectives of an ‘empowering decision‐making workshop

Elaine Jefford, Samantha Nolan, Julie Jomeen and Belinda Maier
Journal of Clinical Nursing, Vol.31(5-6), pp.592-600
03/2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15917
PMID: 34114284
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Giving midwives a voice: Qualitative perspectives of an ‘empowering decision-making workshop’View
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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being
#5 Gender Equality

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Abstract

decision-making empowermen midwife Midwifery Abdication Midwifery Health not elsewhere classified
Aim/objective To establish midwives' perceptions of the value of workshops designed to empower their decision-making and leadership skills using validated midwifery clinical reasoning frameworks and appreciative inquiry methods. Background The medical lens of childbirth can disempower women and midwives. Midwives often face challenges navigating their role as autonomous practitioners and advocates for shared decision-making, particularly when there is tension between women's wishes, governance frameworks and organisational requirements. This can lead to ‘Midwifery Abdication’ and/or the midwifery voice being silenced. Design/Methods Appreciative inquiry, involving qualitative analysis of 31 midwives’ personal reflections during ‘Empowering Midwives’ Decision-Making’ workshops. Standards for reporting qualitative research (SRQR criteria) guided the preparation of this manuscript. Results Decision-making tools and ‘appreciative’ strategies can strengthen leadership attributes, enhance feelings of empowerment and deepen understanding. Reflecting on ‘Midwifery Abdication’ was perceived as confronting. Workshop activities offered understanding the reasons why ‘Midwifery Abdication’ may or may not occur. One overarching, key theme was identified: ‘Finding my midwifery voice’. This theme encompassed three sub-themes: ‘I am not alone’, ‘Using leadership to promote collaboration to effect change’ and ‘An onward journey of enlightenment and empowerment’. Conclusion Midwives need to find their voice and develop skills in both clinical reasoning and transformative reflection. Workshops, using Appreciative Inquiry approaches, that focused on reflection, clinical decision-making and ‘Midwifery Abdication’, facilitate this and may create feelings of reunification in midwives and rejuvenate inherent passion for the profession. Relevance to clinical practice Relevance to clinical practice: Sharing feelings around providing care in the often-contested space that is advocating for women using midwifery philosophy may provide relief from moral distress and a sense of shared identity desperately sought after by midwives struggling to navigate the increasingly complex terrain of maternity care. Findings encourage the need for further discussions around strengthening midwifery leadership which may be achievable using Appreciative Inquiry frameworks and approaches.

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