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We’re all in this together: Midwifery student peer mentoring
ACM2015 Poster Presentations / Women and Birth 28S (2015) S39–S56
Conclusion: In this study, we highlight our concerns with what may be some level of inappropriateness in referring mothers who are progressing normally in labour and who also have limited access to logistics including transport to a referral hospital. The greatest number of mothers being referred to the Goroka General Hospital either paid for an ambulance service themselves or sought transportation from elsewhere. Charging mothers for a government supplied ambulance may be a hindrance to safe birthing among women seeking health care in PNG. Our findings suggest a lack of detailed assessment at the primary health care level which may be leading to a higher number of inappropriate transfers of mothers in labour. We hope to generate discussions to highlight some important issues to consider when addressing PNG’s maternal and infant mortality. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2015.07.155 [P38] We’re all in this together: Midwifery student peer mentoring Lois McKellar *, Cathy Kempster * University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia *Corresponding authors. Introduction: The Bachelor of Midwifery in Australia is a demanding university degree with significant clinical experience embedded in the program alongside a robust academic curriculum. This requires a high-level of commitment from students and ongoing support to ensure that they are able to successfully meet the academic and clinical requirements. Additionally, as nursing is no longer a prerequisite for studying Midwifery, there has been a significant increase in school leavers enrolling in the program. Many higher education institutions have adopted mentoring programs for students as a means of providing support, improve learning and enhance student experience. However, very few mentoring programs have been designed specifically for midwifery students. Aim: To improve the student experience by providing support to commencing students with the transition to university life and the rigours of the midwifery degree through an innovative peer mentoring program. This sought to assist with the development of critical ‘soft skills’ including time management, organisational skills as well as increase confidence through interactions with senior students who had completed mentoring training. Methods: Various mentoring activities were coordinated throughout the first year. This poster will illustrate the peer mentoring program and report the evaluation. A survey design was adopted to gather feedback from both mentors and mentees to evaluate the program and further develop it. Results: Fifty-five students engaged with the peer mentors and completed the survey. Specifically valuable was the positive impact that mentoring had on midwifery student clinical confidence, managing the demands of the program and being motivated to keep going when the program requirements were challenging. The success of this program rested largely with mentors sharing their own experiences and providing reassurance that other students could also succeed. Conclusion: It is important to acknowledge the value of mentoring and consider embedding mentoring in Midwifery programs offered throughout Australia. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2015.07.156
S49
[P39] Experiences of callers to the PANDA National Perinatal Depression Helpline Laura Biggs 1, Touran Shafiei 1, Della A. Forster 1,2, Rhonda Small 1, Helen L. McLachlan 1,3,* 1
Judith Lumley Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia The Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia 3 School of Nursing & Midwifery, La Trobe University, Australia *Corresponding author. 2
Introduction: Midwives care for a significant number of families impacted by perinatal mental illness, with depression and anxiety common during the perinatal period. PANDA provides support, information, and referral via a National Perinatal Depression Helpline (the Helpline) to support women, men, and their families impacted by perinatal mental illness. The Helpline offers peer support from volunteers and counselling from professional counsellors. Over 10,000 calls are made to and from the Helpline each year. Research evaluating telephone interventions for perinatal mental health to date have rarely included women’s perceptions of support. Aim: To explore callers’ experiences of accessing support through the Helpline. Methods: All new callers to the Helpline from 1 May to 30 September 2013 were invited to participate four to six weeks after their initial call. A cross-sectional survey including Likert-type scales and open-ended questions was conducted. Results: Thirty percent (124/405) of callers sent an invitation completed the survey. The majority (91%) of respondents called the Helpline for themselves. Of those, one third had been seeking crisis support and help. Ninety seven per cent ‘agreed’ or ‘strongly agreed’ that overall PANDA helped them, and 99% ‘agreed’ or ‘strongly agreed’ that PANDA staff/volunteers were relaxed and unhurried on the phone and understood their concerns. In response to open-ended questions, callers described the Helpline as uniquely specialised to the perinatal period, providing accessible, non-judgemental understanding and support. Callers made suggestions for service changes, including increased hours of availability. Conclusion: Overall, callers reported very positive experiences of accessing support from the Helpline. Midwives play a key role in identifying and supporting families who may experience perinatal mental illness. It is important that midwives are aware of services such as PANDA where they can refer families who may require additional mental health supports during pregnancy and early parenting. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2015.07.157 [P3] Knowledge, attitude and practices of midwives toward HIV/AIDS positive mothers Johari Mfalamagoha *, Jennifer Oyieke, Blasio Omuga, Grace Omoni School of Nursing Sciences – University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya *Corresponding author. Introduction: HIV infection in pregnant women has become the most significant public health problem worldwide. The largest source of infection is HIV transmission from infected mother tochild. Scientific data now confirm that HIV can be transmitted from an infected mother to her child in utero, during delivery and through breastfeeding. Midwives have the ability to intervene to
Conclusion: In this study, we highlight our concerns with what may be some level of inappropriateness in referring mothers who are progressing normally in labour and who also have limited access to logistics including transport to a referral hospital. The greatest number of mothers being referred to the Goroka General Hospital either paid for an ambulance service themselves or sought transportation from elsewhere. Charging mothers for a government supplied ambulance may be a hindrance to safe birthing among women seeking health care in PNG. Our findings suggest a lack of detailed assessment at the primary health care level which may be leading to a higher number of inappropriate transfers of mothers in labour. We hope to generate discussions to highlight some important issues to consider when addressing PNG’s maternal and infant mortality. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2015.07.155 [P38] We’re all in this together: Midwifery student peer mentoring Lois McKellar *, Cathy Kempster * University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia *Corresponding authors. Introduction: The Bachelor of Midwifery in Australia is a demanding university degree with significant clinical experience embedded in the program alongside a robust academic curriculum. This requires a high-level of commitment from students and ongoing support to ensure that they are able to successfully meet the academic and clinical requirements. Additionally, as nursing is no longer a prerequisite for studying Midwifery, there has been a significant increase in school leavers enrolling in the program. Many higher education institutions have adopted mentoring programs for students as a means of providing support, improve learning and enhance student experience. However, very few mentoring programs have been designed specifically for midwifery students. Aim: To improve the student experience by providing support to commencing students with the transition to university life and the rigours of the midwifery degree through an innovative peer mentoring program. This sought to assist with the development of critical ‘soft skills’ including time management, organisational skills as well as increase confidence through interactions with senior students who had completed mentoring training. Methods: Various mentoring activities were coordinated throughout the first year. This poster will illustrate the peer mentoring program and report the evaluation. A survey design was adopted to gather feedback from both mentors and mentees to evaluate the program and further develop it. Results: Fifty-five students engaged with the peer mentors and completed the survey. Specifically valuable was the positive impact that mentoring had on midwifery student clinical confidence, managing the demands of the program and being motivated to keep going when the program requirements were challenging. The success of this program rested largely with mentors sharing their own experiences and providing reassurance that other students could also succeed. Conclusion: It is important to acknowledge the value of mentoring and consider embedding mentoring in Midwifery programs offered throughout Australia. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2015.07.156
S49
[P39] Experiences of callers to the PANDA National Perinatal Depression Helpline Laura Biggs 1, Touran Shafiei 1, Della A. Forster 1,2, Rhonda Small 1, Helen L. McLachlan 1,3,* 1
Judith Lumley Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia The Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia 3 School of Nursing & Midwifery, La Trobe University, Australia *Corresponding author. 2
Introduction: Midwives care for a significant number of families impacted by perinatal mental illness, with depression and anxiety common during the perinatal period. PANDA provides support, information, and referral via a National Perinatal Depression Helpline (the Helpline) to support women, men, and their families impacted by perinatal mental illness. The Helpline offers peer support from volunteers and counselling from professional counsellors. Over 10,000 calls are made to and from the Helpline each year. Research evaluating telephone interventions for perinatal mental health to date have rarely included women’s perceptions of support. Aim: To explore callers’ experiences of accessing support through the Helpline. Methods: All new callers to the Helpline from 1 May to 30 September 2013 were invited to participate four to six weeks after their initial call. A cross-sectional survey including Likert-type scales and open-ended questions was conducted. Results: Thirty percent (124/405) of callers sent an invitation completed the survey. The majority (91%) of respondents called the Helpline for themselves. Of those, one third had been seeking crisis support and help. Ninety seven per cent ‘agreed’ or ‘strongly agreed’ that overall PANDA helped them, and 99% ‘agreed’ or ‘strongly agreed’ that PANDA staff/volunteers were relaxed and unhurried on the phone and understood their concerns. In response to open-ended questions, callers described the Helpline as uniquely specialised to the perinatal period, providing accessible, non-judgemental understanding and support. Callers made suggestions for service changes, including increased hours of availability. Conclusion: Overall, callers reported very positive experiences of accessing support from the Helpline. Midwives play a key role in identifying and supporting families who may experience perinatal mental illness. It is important that midwives are aware of services such as PANDA where they can refer families who may require additional mental health supports during pregnancy and early parenting. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2015.07.157 [P3] Knowledge, attitude and practices of midwives toward HIV/AIDS positive mothers Johari Mfalamagoha *, Jennifer Oyieke, Blasio Omuga, Grace Omoni School of Nursing Sciences – University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya *Corresponding author. Introduction: HIV infection in pregnant women has become the most significant public health problem worldwide. The largest source of infection is HIV transmission from infected mother tochild. Scientific data now confirm that HIV can be transmitted from an infected mother to her child in utero, during delivery and through breastfeeding. Midwives have the ability to intervene to