Identifying optimal labor and delivery nurse staffing: The case of cesarean births and nursing hours.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have identified a relationship between nurse staffing and adverse patient outcomes in medical / surgical patient populations. However, little is known about the impact of labor and delivery (L&D) nurse staffing and adverse birth outcomes, such as unintended cesarean delivery, in low-risk term-gestation women. PURPOSE: We examined nurse staffing patterns on the likelihood of cesarean sections (C-sections) among low- risk, full gestation births and provided a testing framework to distinguish optimal from ineffective levels of nurse staffing. METHODS: This retrospective descriptive study used hours of productive nursing time per delivery as the treatment variable to determine direct nursing time per delivery and its impact on the likelihood of a C-section. For comparisons, we also assessed the likelihood of augmentations and of inductions, as well as the number of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hours per birth. We limited our sample to those births between 37 and 42 weeks of gestation. Two complimentary models (the quadratic and piecewise regressions) distinguishing optimal staffing patterns from ineffective staffing patterns were developed. The study was implemented in eleven hospitals that are part of a large, integrated healthcare system in the Southwest. DISCUSSION: While a simple linear regression of the likelihood of a C-section on nursing hours per delivery indicated no statistically distinguishable effect, our 'optimal staffing' model indicated that nurse staffing hours employed by using a large sample of hospitals were actually minimizing C-sections (robustness checks are provided using similar model comparisons for the likelihood of augmentation and induction, and NICU hours). Where the optimal staffing models did not appear to be effective for augmentations, inductions, and NICU hours, we found significant differences between facilities (i.e., significant fixed effects for hospitals). In all specifications, we also controlled for weeks of gestation, race, sex of the child, and mother's age.

Women's unmet needs in early labour: Qualitative analysis of free-text survey responses in the M@NGO trial of caseload midwifery.

OBJECTIVE: to analyse women's experiences of early labour care in caseload midwifery in Australia. DESIGN: this study sits within a multi-site randomised controlled trial of caseload midwifery versus standard care. Participant surveys were conducted at 6-weeks and 6-months after birth. Free-text responses about experiences of care were subject to critical thematic analysis in NVivo 11 software. SETTING: two urban Australian hospitals in different states. PARTICIPANTS: women 18 years and over, with a singleton pregnancy, less than 24 weeks' pregnant, not planning a caesarean section or already booked with a care provider; were eligible to participate in the trial. INTERVENTIONS: participants were randomised to caseload midwifery or standard care for antenatal, labour and birth and postpartum care. MEASUREMENTS AND FINDINGS: The 6-week survey response rate was 58% (n = 1,019). The survey included five open questions about women's experiences of pregnancy, labour and birth, and postnatal care. Nine-hundred and one respondents (88%) provided free text comments which were coded to generate 10 categories. The category of early labour contained data from 84 individual participants (caseload care n = 44; standard care n = 40). Descriptive themes were: (1) needing permission; (2) doing the 'wrong' thing; and (3) being dismissed. Analytic themes were: (1) Seeking: women wanting to be "close to those who know what's going on"; and (2) Shielding: midwives defending resources and normal birth. KEY CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of model of care, early labour care was primarily described in negative terms. This could be attributed to reporting bias, because women who were neutral about early labour care may not comment. Nevertheless, the findings demonstrate a gap in knowledge about early labour care in caseload midwifery models. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Maternity services that offer caseload midwifery are ideally placed to evaluate how early labour home visiting impacts women's experiences of early labour.

Shift length and working practices in UK hospital settings: An online survey of heads of midwifery.

OBJECTIVE: There is currently a lack of data that records how midwives are expected to work in hospital settings. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of 12-h shifts and current working practices of hospital-based midwives. DESIGN: An online survey conducted between December 2018 and March 2019. Descriptive data are summarised regionally and nationally. SETTING: NHS Trusts providing maternity services in hospital settings in the UK PARTICIPANTS: The link to the survey was emailed to Heads of Midwifery in 155 NHS Trusts FINDINGS: Responses were received from 94 of the 155 NHS Trusts (60.65%). Some responses included data for more than one hospital, so results are summarised for 97 hospitals. 12-h shifts were the most prevalent shift length, with only 4.1% of hospitals still routinely operating shorter shifts. 55% of hospitals limit the maximum number of consecutive shifts to three, but this can be influenced by different factors. More than half of midwives (55.67%) will be rostered to start a day shift within 24-h of finishing a night shift. 70% of hospitals do not currently record the number of midwives working beyond their contracted hours but 68% report formal methods of recording missed rest breaks. Regional differences were seen in the use of other personnel to support the midwifery workforce. CONCLUSIONS: Shift schedules and the lack of formal methods to record the number of midwives working beyond their contracted hours may be a cause for concern due to the potential impact on recovery times. Further research is required to explore how working practices may affect midwives and their ability to provide care for women and their babies.

Systematic Review of Factors Influencing Non-Medically Indicated Formula Supplementation of Newborns in the Hospital Setting.

OBJECTIVE: To examine maternal and newborn factors that influence non-medically indicated (NMI) formula supplementation of newborns in the hospital setting. DATA SOURCES: Electronic databases CINAHL and Ovid MEDLINE were searched for peer-reviewed articles published in English between January 1, 2000, and September 30, 2017. STUDY SELECTION: A total of 616 studies were returned from the search. After removal of duplicates, 558 studies remained, 531 of which were excluded based on factors of not being related to term newborns, not being published in a peer-reviewed journal, or study not completed in a hospital setting. Five studies were included that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. DATA EXTRACTION: Data from the five studies were extracted and compiled into a summary table. DATA SYNTHESIS: Synthesis indicated that maternal ethnicity, educational level, and income influence the decision to provide NMI formula supplementation to newborns. First-time mothers and those with cesarean birth, no previous breastfeeding experience, female newborns, and large-for-gestational-age newborns were at greater risk for NMI formula supplementation. Neonates born at night are more likely to receive NMI formula supplementation, and NMI formula supplementation increases during the night hours and during the first 24 hours after birth. CONCLUSION: Identification of newborn/maternal risk factors, continuous breastfeeding support, and provision of consistent breastfeeding education to women are factors that influence NMI formula supplementation of newborns. With collaboration among hospital physicians, midwives, nurse practitioners, nurses, and lactation consultants to identify at-risk newborns, the goal of decreasing NMI formula supplementation of newborns in the hospital can be achieved.

Midwifery students' experiences of working within a midwifery caseload model.

BACKGROUND: Work integrated learning opportunities account for approximately half of the Bachelor of Midwifery program with the goal being to ensure that on graduation students are skilled to provide woman centred evidenced based midwifery care within any environment. There is increasing concern, however, over the quality of clinical experiences students are afforded. OBJECTIVE: This study explored the experiences of third year Bachelor of Midwifery students in South East Queensland undertaking a clinical placement within a midwifery caseload model. DESIGN: A qualitative descriptive approach was adopted. Data were collected using semi-structured, digitally recorded telephone interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data set. SETTING: Midwifery student clinical placement in caseload practice PARTICIPANTS: Twelve third year Bachelor of Midwifery students from one university who had experienced a clinical placement in a caseload midwifery model of between 4 and 8 weeks. FINDINGS: Five themes emerged. These were labelled 'stepping in her shoes', 'bringing it all together', 'my own captive educator', 'knowing the woman', and 'it was hard - but it was worth it'. The three-way relationship between midwife, woman and student facilitated deep and active learning leading to a growth in confidence and readiness for practice. Students were afforded the opportunity to constantly integrate theory into practice within a woman centred social model of care where they also grew to understand how midwives operationalise caseload practice in a sustainable way. Students acknowledged the challenges they faced undertaking the placement, but all confirmed the value it had afforded them. KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This study has provided evidence that situating midwifery students within a continuity of care model facilitated a rich holistic learning experience for students. Not only did the placement enhance student's confidence and competence it also provided a real-world view of what working in that a caseload model could be like on graduation. This is vital if the profession is to support system level change ensuring all women have access to evidence informed maternity care.

Sleep and Lifestyle Habits of Osteopathic Emergency Medicine Residents During Training.

CONTEXT: Duty hours were enacted in 2003 with the intent to improve patient safety and resident well-being. However, limited data exist regarding improvements in residents' well-being since the implementation of these restrictions. OBJECTIVE: To examine osteopathic emergency medicine (EM) resident characteristics regarding sleep and lifestyle habits and duty hour reporting. METHOD: A convenience sample of osteopathic EM residents was surveyed at a statewide conference in May 2014. The conference included 177 residents from 15 osteopathic EM residencies. Data regarding demographics, sleep and lifestyle habits (including work-related motor vehicle incidents [MVIs] and chemical aid use for sleep/wakefulness), and duty hour reporting were collected. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score was calculated, with a score greater than 10 indicating sleep disturbance. RESULTS: Of the 128 residents (72%) who returned the survey, approximately two-thirds were female, were currently on an EM rotation, and were training in suburban emergency departments with more than 60,000 annual visits. Only 35% of respondents slept 8 or more hours per night during an EM rotation, and 63% admitted to weight change during residency. Forty-two percent of respondents had a work-related MVI, which was more likely to occur if their ESS score was greater than 11 (P<.03). Mean (SD) ESS score was 9.9 (4.8; range, 0-24). Respondents reported using chemical aids for staying awake or going to sleep on a mean (SD) of 6.9 (9.3) days per month (range, 0-30). The majority of respondents (84%) reported strict duty hour enforcement policies, few (17%) had ever been asked to falsify reports, and more than half (56%) had ever voluntarily reported false hours. CONCLUSION: Most residents surveyed slept fewer than 8 hours per night and had a weight change during EM residency training. The majority of residents used a chemical aid for sleep or wakefulness. Nearly half of residents surveyed met criteria for disordered sleep, which was associated with a higher occurrence of MVIs.

Does Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Care Provided in a Lupus Clinic Result in Higher Quality of Care Than That Provided in a General Rheumatology Clinic?

OBJECTIVE: To compare the quality of care received by patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in 2 settings within the academic institution (a dedicated lupus clinic and a general rheumatology clinic) using validated SLE quality measures. METHODS: One hundred fifty consenting, consecutive SLE patients receiving longitudinal care at the Rush University general rheumatology clinic (n = 73) or the subspecialty lupus clinic (n = 77) were recruited. An updated quality measure survey and retrospective medical chart review were used to evaluate each quality measure (n = 20). The overall and individual quality measure performance was calculated and compared between the 2 groups. Data on the number of SLE patients seen by each rheumatologist were collected to assess the relationship between SLE patient volume and quality measures. RESULTS: Overall quality measure performance was significantly better in SLE patients receiving care at the lupus clinic (85.8% versus 70.2% of patients receiving care at the general rheumatology clinic; P = 0.001). Differences between the 2 groups were observed for sunscreen counseling (98.7% and 83.6%, respectively; P = 0.001), antiphospholipid antibody testing (71.4% and 37%, respectively; P < 0.001), pneumococcal vaccination (84.8% and 48.8%, respectively; P < 0.001), bone mineral density testing (94.2% and 54.5%, respectively; P < 0.001), drug counseling (92.2% and 80.8%, respectively; P = 0.04), use of a steroid-sparing agent (100% and 82%, respectively; P < 0.007), use of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (94.4% and 58.3%, respectively; P = 0.03), and cardiovascular disease risk assessment (40.3% and 15.1%, respectively; P = 0.01). There was a moderate correlation between physician volume and quality measure performance (ρ = 0.48, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Compared with the general rheumatology clinic, the dedicated lupus clinic had better quality measure performance in this cross-sectional single-center study. In our health care system, we also observed indicators suggesting that rheumatologists with a higher volume of SLE patients provide higher quality of care.

Permanent education in the vaccination room: what is the reality?

OBJECTIVE: To understand, from the perspective of the professional, the Permanent Education (PE) in the vaccination room in its real context. METHOD: Multiple holistic-qualitative case studies, based on Maffesoli's Interpretive Sociology with 56 participants from four microregions of the Western Extended Region of Minas Gerais State. RESULTS: They present PE as infrequent and insufficient. They denote that the practical-theoretical experience with vaccine contributes to the work; the search for knowledge, starting from the professional itself; and the professional training fails to perform in the vaccination room. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: The notions of PE are linked to the daily needs of individuals and services, with indication of being interactive, periodic, in specific and non-global issues for better assimilation. Obstacles to the non-implementation of PEH are realized by the workload associated with insufficient human resources, the distance of the nurses from the vaccination room and the lack of support from the higher levels.

Relationship Between Spiritual Well-being and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in United States Air Force Remotely Piloted Aircraft and Intelligence Personnel.

BACKGROUND: Remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) are in frequent use by the U.S. Air Force to engage in combat operations from remote locations. RPA operations involve remote killing, which can lead to significant emotional responses. This study addresses a gap in research by examining the association of existential and spiritual health with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in RPA and intelligence personnel. METHODS: Three hundred and five U.S. Air Force RPA and intelligence personnel completed the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS) and PTSD Checklist-Military Version. Correlational analyses were used to examine the association between SWBS score and PTSD symptoms. FINDINGS: There was a negative correlation between the SWBS and PTSD Checklist-Military Version scores (Pearson correlation coefficient = -0.49, p < 0.0001). Higher spiritual and existential well-being were associated with lower PTSD symptoms. Further, spiritual and existential scores in this sample were comparable with a number of SWBS norms, suggesting that levels of existential distress may not be high among remote warfare operators. DISCUSSION: In this sample of U.S. Air Force personnel involved in remote warfare, higher spiritual and existential well-being were associated with less endorsement of mental health symptoms on a PTSD symptom measure. Additionally, levels of spiritual and existential well-being in this sample were comparable with norms used in a number of samples within the general population. Although there are ongoing concerns regarding the psychological impact remote warfare has on RPA operators, the bulk of current research has indicated that operational stressors such as workload, rotating shifts, organizational and leadership concerns, and balancing work and domestic tasks rather than the job duties themselves (i.e., involvement in killing) likely contribute more to reported emotional distress levels.

Permanent education in the vaccination room: what is the reality? / Educación permanente en sala de vacuna: ¿cuál es la realidad? / Educação permanente em sala de vacina: qual a realidade?

ABSTRACT Objective: To understand, from the perspective of the professional, the Permanent Education (PE) in the vaccination room in its real context. Method: Multiple holistic-qualitative case studies, based on Maffesoli's Interpretive Sociology with 56 participants from four microregions of the Western Extended Region of Minas Gerais State. Results: They present PE as infrequent and insufficient. They denote that the practical-theoretical experience with vaccine contributes to the work; the search for knowledge, starting from the professional itself; and the professional training fails to perform in the vaccination room. Final considerations: The notions of PE are linked to the daily needs of individuals and services, with indication of being interactive, periodic, in specific and non-global issues for better assimilation. Obstacles to the non-implementation of PEH are realized by the workload associated with insufficient human resources, the distance of the nurses from the vaccination room and the lack of support from the higher levels.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Comprender, bajo la óptica del profesional, la Educación Permanente (EP) en sala de vacuna en su contexto real. Método: Estudio de casos múltiples holístico-cualitativo, fundamentado en la Sociología Comprensiva del Cotidiano con 56 participantes de cuatro microrregiones de la Región Ampliada Oeste de Minas Gerais. Resultados: Presentan la EP como poco frecuente e insuficiente. Denotan que la experiencia práctico-teórica con vacuna contribuye con el trabajo, la búsqueda del conocimiento partiendo del propio profesional y la formación profesional falla para la actuación en sala de vacuna. Consideraciones finales: Los conceptos de EP están ligadas a las necesidades cotidianas individuales y de los servicios, con indicios de ser interactiva, periódica, en temas puntuales y no globales para una mejor asimilación. Los obstáculos para la no realización de la EPS se concretan en la sobrecarga de trabajo asociada a los recursos humanos insuficientes, el distanciamiento del enfermero de la sala de vacuna y la falta de apoyo de las instancias superiores.

RESUMO Objetivo: Compreender, sob a ótica do profissional, a Educação Permanente (EP) em sala de vacina em seu contexto real. Método: Estudo de casos múltiplos holístico-qualitativo, fundamentado na Sociologia Compreensiva do Cotidiano com 56 participantes de quatro microrregiões da Região Ampliada Oeste de Minas Gerais. Resultados: Apresentam a EP como pouco frequente e insuficiente. Denotam que a experiência prático-teórica com vacina contribui com o trabalho, a busca do conhecimento partindo do próprio profissional e a formação profissional falha para atuação em sala de vacina. Considerações finais: As noções de EP vêm atreladas às necessidades cotidianas individuais e dos serviços, com indicação de ser interativa, periódica, em temas pontuais e não globais para melhor assimilação. Os entraves para não realização da EPS se concretizam na sobrecarga de trabalho associada a recursos humanos insuficientes, o distanciamento do enfermeiro da sala de vacina e a falta de apoio das instâncias superiores.

Severity and workload related to adverse events in the ICU.

OBJECTIVE:: To analyze whether an increase in patient severity and nursing workload are correlated to a greater incidence of adverse events (AEs) in critical patients. METHOD:: A prospective single cohort study was performed on a sample of 138 patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit (ICU). RESULTS:: A total of 166 AEs, occurred, affecting 50.7% of the patients. Increased patient severity presented a direct relationship to the probability of AEs occurring. However, nursing workload did not present a statistically significant relationship with the occurrence of AEs. CONCLUSION:: The results cast light on the importance of using evaluation tools by the nursing personnel in order to optimize their daily activities and focus on patient safety. OBJETIVO:: Analisar se o aumento da gravidade do paciente e a carga de trabalho de enfermagem está relacionado à maior incidência de Eventos Adversos (EAs) em pacientes críticos. MÉTODO:: Estudo de coorte única, prospectivo, com amostra de 138 pacientes internados em uma Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI). RESULTADOS:: Ao todo, foram evidenciados 166 EAs, que acometeram 50,7% dos pacientes. O aumento da gravidade do paciente apresentou relação direta com a chance de ocorrência de EAs. Entretanto, a carga de trabalho de enfermagem não apresentou relação estatisticamente significativa, na ocorrência de EAs. CONCLUSÃO:: Os resultados permitem refletir acerca da importância da equipe de enfermagem, em utilizar instrumentos de avaliação, com o objetivo de melhorar e planejar suas ações diárias, com foco na segurança do paciente.

Severity and workload related to adverse events in the ICU / Gravedad y carga de trabajo relacionadas a eventos adversos en UTI / Gravidade e carga de trabalho relacionadas a eventos adversos em UTI

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze whether an increase in patient severity and nursing workload are correlated to a greater incidence of adverse events (AEs) in critical patients. Method: A prospective single cohort study was performed on a sample of 138 patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit (ICU). Results: A total of 166 AEs, occurred, affecting 50.7% of the patients. Increased patient severity presented a direct relationship to the probability of AEs occurring. However, nursing workload did not present a statistically significant relationship with the occurrence of AEs. Conclusion: The results cast light on the importance of using evaluation tools by the nursing personnel in order to optimize their daily activities and focus on patient safety.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar si el aumento de la gravedad del paciente y la carga de trabajo de enfermería está relacionada con mayor incidencia de Eventos Adversos (EAs) en pacientes críticos. Método: Estudio de cohorte única, prospectivo, con muestra de 138 pacientes internados en una Unidad de Terapia Intensiva (UTI). Resultados: En total, fueron evidenciados 166 EAs, incidiendo sobre 50,7% de los pacientes. El aumento de la gravedad del paciente mostró relación directa con la posibilidad de ocurrencia de EAs. Sin embargo, la carga de trabajo de enfermería no demostró relación estadísticamente significativa en la ocurrencia de EAs. Conclusión: Los resultados permiten reflexionar sobre la importancia del equipo de enfermería, en utilizar instrumentos de evaluación, con el objeto de mejorar y planificar sus acciones diarias, enfocándose en la seguridad del paciente.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar se o aumento da gravidade do paciente e a carga de trabalho de enfermagem está relacionado à maior incidência de Eventos Adversos (EAs) em pacientes críticos. Método: Estudo de coorte única, prospectivo, com amostra de 138 pacientes internados em uma Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI). Resultados: Ao todo, foram evidenciados 166 EAs, que acometeram 50,7% dos pacientes. O aumento da gravidade do paciente apresentou relação direta com a chance de ocorrência de EAs. Entretanto, a carga de trabalho de enfermagem não apresentou relação estatisticamente significativa, na ocorrência de EAs. Conclusão: Os resultados permitem refletir acerca da importância da equipe de enfermagem, em utilizar instrumentos de avaliação, com o objetivo de melhorar e planejar suas ações diárias, com foco na segurança do paciente.

The motivation and capacity to go 'above and beyond': Qualitative analysis of free-text survey responses in the M@NGO randomised controlled trial of caseload midwifery.

OBJECTIVE: to explore whether women allocated to caseload care characterise their midwife differently to those allocated to standard care. DESIGN: multi-site unblinded, randomised, controlled, parallel-group trial. SETTING: the study was conducted in two metropolitan teaching hospitals across two Australian cities. POPULATION: women of all obstetric risk were eligible to participate. Inclusion criteria were: 18 years or older, less than 24 week's gestation with a singleton pregnancy. Women already booked with a care provider or planning to have an elective caesarean section were excluded. INTERVENTIONS: participants were randomised to caseload midwifery or standard care. The caseload model provided antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care from a primary midwife or 'back-up' midwife; as well as consultation with obstetric or medical physicians as indicated by national guidelines. The standard model included care from a general practitioner and/or midwives and obstetric doctors. MEASUREMENTS AND FINDINGS: participants' responses to open-ended questions were collected through a 6-week postnatal survey and analysed thematically. A total of 1748 women were randomised between December 2008 - May 2011; 871 to caseload midwifery and 877 to standard care. The response rate to the 6-week survey including free text items was 52% (n=901). Respondents from both groups characterised midwives as Informative, Competent and Kind. Participants in the caseload group perceived midwives with additional qualities conceptualised as Empowering and 'Endorphic'. These concepts highlight some of the active ingredients that moderated or mediated the effects of the midwifery care within the M@NGO trial. KEY CONCLUSION: caseload midwifery attracts, motivates and enables midwives to go Above and Beyond such that women feel empowered, nurtured and safe during pregnancy, labour and birth. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: the concept of an Endorphic midwife makes a useful contribution to midwifery theory as it enhances our understanding of how the complex intervention of caseload midwifery influences normal birth rates and experiences. Defining personal midwife attributes which are important for caseload models has potential implications for graduate attributes in degree programs leading to registration as a midwife and selection criteria for caseload midwife positions.

Work load and management in the delivery room: changing the direction of healthcare policy.

Nurse staffing, increased workload and unstable nursing unit environments are linked to negative patient outcomes including falls and medication errors on medical/surgical units. Considering this evidence, the aim of our study was to overview midwives' workload and work setting. We created a questionnaire and performed an online survey. We obtained information about the type and level of hospital, workload, the use of standardised procedures, reporting of sentinel and 'near-miss' events. We reported a severe understaffing in midwives' work settings and important underuse of standard protocols according to the international guidelines, especially in the South of Italy. Based on our results, we strongly suggest a change of direction of healthcare policy, oriented to increase the number of employed midwives, in order to let them fulfil their duties according to the international guidelines (especially one-to-one care). On the other hand, we encourage the adoption of standardised protocols in each work setting.

How optimal caseload midwifery can modify predictors for preterm birth in young women: Integrated findings from a mixed methods study.

OBJECTIVE: to identify possible mechanisms by which caseload midwifery reduces preterm birth for young childbearing women. DESIGN: a mixed methods triangulation, convergence design was used to answer the research question 'How does the way maternity care is provided affect the health and well-being of young women and their babies?' The project generated quantitative and qualitative findings which were collected and analysed concurrently then separately analysed and published. The research design enabled integration of the quantitative and qualitative findings for further interpretation through a critical pragmatic lens. SETTING: a tertiary maternity hospital in Australia providing care to approximately 500 pregnant young women (aged 21 years or less) each year. Three distinct models of care were offered: caseload midwifery, young women's clinic, and standard 'fragmented' care. PARTICIPANTS: a cohort study included data from 1971 young women and babies during 2008-2012. An ethnographic study included analysis of focus group interviews with four caseload midwives in the young women's midwifery group practice; as well as ten pregnant and postnatal young women receiving caseload midwifery care. FINDINGS: integrated analysis of the quantitative and qualitative findings suggested particular features in the model of care which facilitated young women turning up for antenatal care (at an earlier gestation and more frequently) and buying in to the process (disclosing risks, engaging in self-care activities and accepting referrals for assistance). We conceptualised that Optimal Caseload Midwifery promotes Synergistic Health Engagement between midwife and the young woman. KEY CONCLUSIONS: optimal Caseload Midwifery (which includes midwives with specific personal attributes and philosophical commitments, along with appropriate institutional infrastructure and support) facilitates midwives and young clients to develop trusting relationships and engage in maternity care. Health engagement can modify predictors for preterm birth that are common amongst pregnant adolescents by promoting earlier maternity booking, sufficient antenatal care, greater emotional resilience, ideal gestational weight gain, less smoking/drug use, and fewer untreated genito-urinary infections. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: the institutional infrastructure and managerial support for caseload midwifery should value and prioritise the philosophical commitments and personal attributes required to optimise the model. Furthermore the location of visits, between appointment access to primary midwife, and back-up system should be organised to optimise the midwife-woman relationship in order to promote the young woman's engagement with maternity care.

A qualitative study of how caseload midwifery is constituted and experienced by Danish midwives.

OBJECTIVE: the aim of this study is to advance knowledge about the working and living conditions of midwives in caseload midwifery and how this model of care is embedded in a standard maternity unit. This led to two research questions: 1) What constitutes caseload midwifery from the perspectives of the midwives? 2) How do midwives experience working in caseload midwifery? DESIGN AND SETTING: phenomenology of practice was the analytical approach to this qualitative study of caseload midwifery in Northern Denmark. The methodology was inspired by ethnography, and applied methods were field observations followed by interviews. PARTICIPANTS: thirteen midwives working in caseloads were observed during one or two days in the antenatal clinic and were interviewed at a later occasion. FINDINGS: being recognised and the feeling of doing high quality care generate high job satisfaction. The obligation and pressure to perform well and the disadvantages to the midwives׳ personal lives are counterbalanced by the feeling of doing a meaningful and important job. Working in caseload midwifery creates a feeling of working in a self-governing model within the public hospital, without losing the technological benefits of a modern birth unit. Midwives in caseload midwifery worked on welcoming and including all pregnant women allocated to their care; even women/families where relationships with the midwives were challenging were recognised and respected. KEY CONCLUSIONS: caseload midwifery is a work-form with an embedded and inevitable commitment and obligation that brings forward the midwife׳s desire to do her utmost and in return receive appreciation, social recognition and a meaningful job with great job satisfaction. There is a balance between the advantages of a meaningful job and the disadvantages for the personal life of the midwife, but benefits were found to outweigh disadvantages. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: In expanding caseload midwifery, it is necessary to understand that the midwives׳ personal lives need to be prepared for this work-form. The number of women per full time midwife has to be surveilled as job-satisfaction is dependent on the midwives׳ ability of fulfilling expectations of being present at women׳s births.

[Guideline-adherent inpatient psychiatric psychotherapeutic treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder : Normative definition of personnel requirements]. / Leitliniengerechte stationäre psychiatrisch-psychotherapeutische Behandlung der Zwangsstörung : Normative Personalbedarfsermittlung.

BACKGROUND: Guideline-oriented inpatient psychiatric and psychotherapeutic treatment of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an important part of the care available for these patients. It may not be adequately reflected in the current personnel resources available according to the German psychiatry personnel regulation (Psych-PV). OBJECTIVES: The goal of this work was to assess the personnel resources necessary for a guideline-oriented inpatient psychiatric and psychotherapeutic treatment of patients with OCD and compare the necessary resources with the resources available according to Psych-PV. METHODS: Based on the German national guidelines for OCD and a meta-analysis on treatment intensity, we formulated a normative weekly treatment plan. Based on this plan we calculated the necessary personnel resources and compared these with the resources available according to Psych-PV category A1 (standard care). RESULTS: The weekly treatment time for a guideline-oriented inpatient psychiatric and psychotherapeutic treatment of patients with OCD is 23.5 h per week. This corresponds to a weekly personnel requirement of 20.9 h. This requirement is only partly reflected in the Psych-PV (17.3 h, 82.8 %). The coverage of personnel resources by Psych-PV is even lower for psychotherapy provided by psychiatrist and psychologists (38.3 %, i. e. 183 min in the normative plan versus 70 min in Psych-PV). CONCLUSIONS: The current paper shows that the personal resources required for a guideline-oriented inpatient psychiatric and psychotherapeutic treatment of patients with OCD is not adequately reflected in the German psychiatry personnel regulation (Psych-PV). The actual shortage may be underestimated in our paper.

Performance and affects in group problem-solving / Desempeño y afectos en la solución de problemas en grupo

This experimental study compared college students' performance (individual vs. group) in a virtual game of bridge building for a train passage. We tested the superiority of group performance and power activation of affective states in the quality of task performance and conflict perception. The study (N =114) evaluated performance in groups (n = 60) and individuals (n = 54) by two criteria: an overall score(score and advancement in the game stages) and the problem-solving process. In both conditions, before and after the game, conflict perception was low, with positive affective states predominating. Groups performed better and reported greater use of problem-solving stages. There was no evidence of affective states as a mediator between experimental condition and the variables performance and conflict perception (AU)

Este estudio experimental comparó el desempeño de individuos y grupos en un juego virtual de construcción de puentes para el pasaje de un tren. Se puso a prueba la superioridad del desempeño grupal y el poder de activación de los estados afectivos en la calidad de la ejecución de la tarea y de la percepción de conflictos. El estudio (N = 114) evaluó el desempeño en la condición de grupo (n = 60)e individual (n = 54) mediante dos criterios: una puntuación general (puntuación y avance en las fases del juego) y un proceso de resolución de problemas. En ambas condiciones antes y después del juego, la percepción de conflictos fue baja, predominando los estados afectivos positivos. Los grupos presentaron mejor desempeño y relataron que había una mayor utilización de etapas en la resolución de problemas. No se encontró un papel mediador de los estados afectivos entre la condición experimental y el desempeño y la percepción de conflictos (AU)