Full-field analysis of wavefront errors in point diffraction interferometer with misaligned Gaussian incidence.

The precision and accuracy of profile measurement achieved by a point diffraction interferometer (PDI) is determined by a spherical diffraction reference wavefront whose quality is mainly controlled by the pinhole's alignment. In consideration of a Gaussian beam incidence, different diffraction wavefront errors stemming from misalignment of pinhole including lateral shift, defocus, and tilt are analyzed with the help of a proposed systematic model and a new evaluation criterion established under spherical coordinates. The full-field distributions of various diffraction wavefront errors are obtained through simulation. The predicted accuracy of an actual PDI makes a good agreement with the experiment results. The achieved results will be beneficial to the accuracy evaluation of a PDI before and after its design.

Newly-graduated midwives transcending barriers: mechanisms for putting plans into actions.

OBJECTIVE: the aim of this qualitative study was to develop theory regarding how newly-graduated midwives deal with applying a midwifery philosophy of care in their first six months of practice. DESIGN: the research aim signifies the study of social processes. Hence Grounded Theory methodology was employed. Data were generated from semi-structured interviews and participant and interviewer journals. SETTING: the study was conducted in Perth, Western Australia, with graduate midwives working in private and public, secondary and tertiary maternity hospital settings. PARTICIPANTS: 11 female midwives who were previously nurses and had recently graduated from a 12 month post graduate university-based midwifery course participated. THEORY GENERATED: the substantive theory of transcending barriers was generated. It has three stages: 'Addressing personal attributes', 'Understanding the 'bigger picture'', and 'Evaluating, planning and acting' to provide woman-centred care. An overview of the theory was presented in a previous paper. The mechanisms where 'plans are moved into action' which form the final sub-stage of the stage 'Evaluating, planning and acting' are presented in this paper. KEY CONCLUSION: the theory of transcending barriers provides a new perspective on how newly-graduated midwives 'deal with' applying the philosophy of midwifery in their first six months of practice. The final sub-stage of the theoretical model highlights four mechanisms that newly-graduated midwives implement in their endeavours to provide woman-centred care, increase autonomy and develop their personal philosophy of midwifery. IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE: understanding the four mechanisms can assist health care providers to facilitate the transition of newly-graduated midwives into clinical practice.

Newly-graduated midwives transcending barriers: a grounded theory study.

BACKGROUND: Midwifery has developed its own philosophy to formalise its unique identity as a profession. Newly-graduated midwives are taught, and ideally embrace, this philosophy during their education. However, embarking in their career within a predominantly institutionalised and the medically focused health-care model may challenge this application. QUESTION AND AIM: The research question guiding this study was as follows: 'How do newly graduated midwives deal with applying the philosophy of midwifery in their first six months of practice?' The aim was to generate a grounded theory around this social process. METHOD: This Western Australian grounded theory study is conceptualised within the social theory of symbolic interactionism. Data were collected by means of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 11 recent midwifery graduates. Participant and interviewer's journals provided supplementary data. The 'constant comparison' approach was used for data analysis. THEORY GENERATED: The substantive theory of transcending barriers was generated. Three stages in transcending barriers were identified: Addressing personal attributes, Understanding the 'bigger picture', and finally, 'Evaluating, planning and acting' to provide woman-centred care. An overview of these three stages provides the focus of this article. CONCLUSION: The theory of transcending barriers provides a new perspective on how newly-graduated midwives deal with applying the philosophy of midwifery in their first six months of practice. A number of implications for pre and post registration midwifery education and policy development are suggested, as well as recommendations for future research.