A workforce profile comparison of practising and non-practising midwives in Australia: Baseline data from the Nurses and Midwives e-Cohort Study

Bogossian, Fiona E., Long, Maryann H., Benefer, Christine, Humphreyes Reid, Lindy J., Kellett, Susan E. M., Zhao, Isabella and Turner, Catherine (2011) A workforce profile comparison of practising and non-practising midwives in Australia: Baseline data from the Nurses and Midwives e-Cohort Study. Midwifery, 27 3: 342-349.


Author Bogossian, Fiona E.
Long, Maryann H.
Benefer, Christine
Humphreyes Reid, Lindy J.
Kellett, Susan E. M.
Zhao, Isabella
Turner, Catherine
Title A workforce profile comparison of practising and non-practising midwives in Australia: Baseline data from the Nurses and Midwives e-Cohort Study
Journal name Midwifery  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank A*)   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2011-06
Sub-type Article
DOI 10.1016/j.midw.2011.03.001
Volume number 27
Issue number 3
ISSN 0266-6138; 1532-3099
Start page 342
End page 349
Total pages 8
Place of publication Kidlington, United Kingdom
Publisher Churchill Livingstone
Collection year 2012
Language eng
Abstract Existing workforce data, as an estimate of the current capability of the midwifery workforce to provide midwifery care, is confounded by systematic reporting issues that may overestimate the potential of the existing midwifery workforce. This paper reports the characteristics of qualified Australian midwives who responded to the baseline data collection in the Midwives and Nurses e-Cohort Study and compares those who are currently practising in midwifery with those who are not. Currently practising midwives represented only 52% of those respondents who identified as midwives and the profile of the typical midwife is female, aged over 40 years, Australian, married or in a de facto relationship. She has been registered for over 10 years, educated to postgraduate diploma level and currently works in a clinical midwifery role in a hospital for less than 35 hours per week. Specific deficits in the Australian midwifery workforce namely low numbers of indigenous midwives, independent practitioners and midwives suitably qualified to teach and undertake research in academia are identified. Drawing on the nationally representative e-cohort data, this cross-sectional analysis identifies for the first time the real face of the Australian midwifery workforce and provides an evidence-based foundation for future workforce planning and a methodology for other countries interested in accurately monitoring their actual and potential midwifery workforce.
Keyword Cohort
Workforce
Midwife
Shortage
Q-Index Code C1
Q-Index Status Confirmed Code
Institutional Status UQ
Additional Notes Available online 8 April 2011.

Document type: Journal Article
Sub-type: Article
Collections: Official 2012 Collection
School of Nursing and Midwifery Publications
 
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Created: Mon, 21 Mar 2011, 09:39:46 EST by Ms Susan Kellett on behalf of School of Nursing and Midwifery