PLoS ONE
Volume 9, Issue 3, 2014

"Being flexible and creative": A qualitative study on maternity care assistants' experiences with non-western immigrant women (Article) (Open Access)

Boerleider A.W. , Francke A.L. , Van De Reep M. , Manniën J. , Wiegers T.A. , Devillé W.L.J.M.
  • a Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), Utrecht, Netherlands
  • b Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), Utrecht, Netherlands, Department of Public and Occupational Health, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • c Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), Utrecht, Netherlands
  • d Department of Midwifery Science, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • e Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), Utrecht, Netherlands
  • f Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), Utrecht, Netherlands, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands, National Knowledge and Advisory Center on Migrants, Refugees and Health (Pharos), Utrecht, Netherlands

Abstract

Background: Several studies conducted in developed countries have explored postnatal care professionals' experiences with non-western women. These studies reported different cultural practices, lack of knowledge of the maternity care system, communication difficulties, and the important role of the baby's grandmother as care-giver in the postnatal period. However, not much attention has been paid in existing literature to postnatal care professionals' approaches to these issues. Our main objective was to gain insight into how Dutch postnatal care providers - 'maternity care assistants' (MCA) - address issues encountered when providing care for non-western women. Methods: A generic qualitative research approach was used. Two researchers interviewed fifteen MCAs individually, analysing the interview material separately and then comparing and discussing their results. Analytical codes were organised into main themes and subthemes. Results: MCAs perceive caring for non-western women as interesting and challenging, but sometimes difficult too. To guarantee the health and safety of mother and baby, they have adopted flexible and creative approaches to address issues concerning traditional practices, socioeconomic status and communication. Furthermore, they employ several other strategies to establish relationships with non-western clients and their families, improve women's knowledge of the maternity care system and give health education. Conclusion: Provision of postnatal care to non-western clients may require special skills and measures. The quality of care for non-western clients might be improved by including these skills in education and retraining programmes for postnatal care providers on top of factual knowledge about traditional practices. © 2014 Boerleider et al.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

personal experience Health Personnel maternal care immigrant information dissemination non Western immigrant health care personnel creativity analytical parameters interpersonal communication maternity care assistant human health belief controlled study qualitative research Professional Competence knowledge health personnel attitude interview Attitude of Health Personnel human relation patient safety migrant social status family psychology Humans Emigrants and Immigrants female Article adult health education postnatal care skill health care system
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84898721067&doi=10.1371%2fjournal.pone.0091843&partnerID=40&md5=1de7b09628a044c4a40173642dc9e8aa
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0091843
ISSN: 19326203
Cited by: 7
Original Language: English