Evaluation of primary care midwifery in the Netherlands: design and rationale of a dynamic cohort study (DELIVER)

Bibliographic Details
Title: Evaluation of primary care midwifery in the Netherlands: design and rationale of a dynamic cohort study (DELIVER)
Authors: Manniën Judith, Klomp Trudy, Wiegers Therese, Pereboom Monique, Brug Johannes, de Jonge Ank, van der Meijde Margreeth, Hutton Eileen, Schellevis Francois, Spelten Evelien
Source: BMC Health Services Research, Vol 12, Iss 1, p 69 (2012)
Publisher Information: BMC, 2012.
Publication Year: 2012
Collection: LCC:Public aspects of medicine
Subject Terms: Public aspects of medicine, RA1-1270
More Details: Abstract Background In the Netherlands, midwives are autonomous medical practitioners and 78% of pregnant women start their maternity care with a primary care midwife. Scientific research to support evidence-based practice in primary care midwifery in the Netherlands has been sparse. This paper describes the research design and methodology of the multicenter multidisciplinary prospective DELIVER study which is the first large-scale study evaluating the quality and provision of primary midwifery care. Methods/Design Between September 2009 and April 2011, data were collected from clients and their partners, midwives and other healthcare professionals across the Netherlands. Clients from twenty midwifery practices received up to three questionnaires to assess the expectations and experiences of clients (e.g. quality of care, prenatal screening, emotions, health, and lifestyle). These client data were linked to data from the Netherlands Perinatal Register and electronic client records kept by midwives. Midwives and practice assistants from the twenty participating practices recorded work-related activities in a diary for one week, to assess workload. Besides, the midwives were asked to complete a questionnaire, to gain insight into collaboration of midwives with other care providers, their tasks and attitude towards their job, and the quality of the care they provide. Another questionnaire was sent to all Dutch midwifery practices which reveals information regarding the organisation of midwifery practices, provision of preconception care, collaboration with other care providers, and provision of care to ethnic minorities. Data at client, midwife and practice level can be linked. Additionally, partners of pregnant women and other care providers were asked about their expectations and experiences regarding the care delivered by midwives and in six practices client consults were videotaped to objectively assess daily practice. Discussion In total, 7685 clients completed at least one questionnaire, 136 midwives and assistants completed a diary with work-related activities (response 100%), 99 midwives completed a questionnaire (92%), and 319 practices across the country completed a questionnaire (61%), 30 partners of clients participated in focus groups, 21 other care providers were interviewed and 305 consults at six midwifery practices were videotaped. The multicenter DELIVER study provides an extensive database with national representative data on the quality of primary care midwifery in the Netherlands. This study will support evidence-based practice in primary care midwifery in the Netherlands and contribute to a better understanding of the maternity care system.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 1472-6963
87021269
Relation: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6963/12/69; https://doaj.org/toc/1472-6963
DOI: 10.1186/1472-6963-12-69
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/73bb8702126946c0ab2bbb436750b98c
Accession Number: edsdoj.73bb8702126946c0ab2bbb436750b98c
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:14726963
87021269
DOI:10.1186/1472-6963-12-69
Published in:BMC Health Services Research
Language:English