Transition for Care
Understanding transitions of care from midwives to child and family health nurses
This study is being undertaken by Caroline Homer, Virginia Schmied, Lynn Kemp, Carolyn Briggs and Nicky Leap. The study will be undertaken over two years. Sara Buckland is undertaking the study as part of her Masters of Midwifery (Hons) degree. The study is funded by the grant from the Nurses and Midwives Board of NSW.
There is an increasing awareness amongst health professionals involved in the care of families after the birth of a baby of the need for a more structured and failsafe model of care to provide support to families and to ensure that effective care is provided. Almost all women who have a baby in NSW receive initial care from midwives in maternity services and then transfer to child and family health nurses for ongoing support and assessment. The way in which women and their newborn babies are cared for during this transitional time differs across NSW. This study will review and evaluate these current transitional systems in NSW. The study will investigate the professional boundaries between midwives and child and family health nurses and identify the barriers that reduce effective transition of care. Finally, the study will define the characteristics of effective and best practice models of care to develop a more efficient and seamless service for families at this important time.
This study will result in a better understanding of the most effective ways of providing care during this transitional time. The findings will be used to develop practice guidelines to assist organisations in establishing models of transition of care that best suit their needs of local families.
The aim of the study is to develop knowledge of the systems and professional boundaries to ensure a smooth transition for families from midwifery and maternity services to child and family health services in NSW. The study will describe and evaluate the ways in which families move from midwifery services to child and family health nursing services following the birth of their baby.
The specific objectives are to:
- Describe and evaluate the current models of transition from midwives to child and family health nurses;
- Understand the barriers and facilitators of effective transition of care including professional boundaries between midwives and child and family health nurses;
- Define the characteristics of effective and best practice models of care for families at this time.
More information from the study can be obtained from Caroline Homer or Sara Buckland on (02) 9514 2977.
