Growing our own: A survey of midwifery stakeholders ‘experiences of an online midwifery entry to practice program

Elizabeth Rigg, Debra Clay1, Francine Douce

1University of Southern Queensland, Australia, 2Launceston General Hospital, Launceston, Australia

Abstract:

Background:
Literature highlights that midwifery is experiencing global workforce shortages. This is expected to worsen in Australia as its maternity workforce ages. In Tasmania 70% of the midwifery workforce are over 45 years of age. The education of midwives remains a key strategy to sustainability of a maternity workforce who are inspired for the future. In November 2016, the suspension of locally based midwifery offerings resulted in the Department of Health Tasmania, entering a service agreement with the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) to provide an online Bachelor of Midwifery (Graduate Entry) program supported by local clinical placements.

Aim:
Explore the effectiveness and sustainability of an online Bachelor of Midwifery (Graduate Entry) program for Tasmania from the perspective of stakeholders.

Methods:
This was a mixture methods study. Data was collected via an online survey and in-depth interviews. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used to analyse survey data. Open ended questions and interviews were analysed using a combination of content and thematic analysis.

Findings:
The findings of an online survey undertaken by maternity service providers at five separate sites in Tasmania will be presented to answer the research question: What is the experience, satisfaction and perception of Tasmanian service providers of the USQ online Bachelor of Midwifery (GE) program?


Biography:

Mrs Elizabeth Rigg RN, RM, BLMPrimary, MaMid PhD Student

Elizabeth is the Director of Midwifery at the University of Southern Queensland.  She has published several peer reviewed journal articles, including a book chapter in “Birthing outside the System: The Canary in the Coal Mine”. Her thesis is titled: “The role, practice and training of unregulated birth workers in Australia.