 |
| Research article summary (published 29 Apr 2002): |
'Great fleas have little fleas': Irish student midwives' views of the hierarchy in midwifery.
Full Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Many studies have investigated the world of the student nurse, but there is little work into the lives and experiences of student midwives. Studies of Irish midwives' provision of care have demonstrated that they are not fulfilling their complete role, and research into their education was deemed to be necessary.
AIM:
To explore the opinions, feelings and views of student midwives as they progressed through their 2-year education programme in Ireland.
METHODS:
Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used and the qualitative sections of the study were guided by the phenomenological approach. Ethical approval was granted. All students in the first intake of 1995 in all seven midwifery schools in Southern Ireland agreed to take part (n=125). Individual and group interviews, diary-keeping and questionnaires collected data.
RESULTS:
The findings presented in this paper describe the students' views of the hierarchical structures in midwifery, and the role and behaviours of the 'Matron'. The data describes a subculture of nursing/midwifery subordination.
DISCUSSION:
One reason for the hierarchical nature of the midwifery profession may be because it is an almost totally female-dominated profession, with the female hierarchy exercising control over other women within a male-based power structure. Many hospitals preferred to employ their own students as staff, ensuring a continuation of the hierarchical regime.
CONCLUSION:
The recurring nature of this problem may be because midwives now fear change more than they desire it. Further research is required to ascertain whether the reason for the strong hierarchy is because of the continuation of midwifery from the male-dominated profession of nursing, to the existence of the industrial/economic model of maternity care or to the impact of the medicalization of childbirth.
Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills
Author information
Author/s: Begley, Cecily M (CM);
Affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery Studies, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. cbegley@tcd.ie
Journal and publication information
Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Journal: Journal of advanced nursing (J Adv Nurs), published in England. (Language: eng)
Reference: 2002-May; vol 38 (issue 3) : pp 310-7
Dates: Created 2002/04/25; Completed 2002/07/30; Revised 2006/11/15;
PMID: 11972672, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)
Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.
External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):
Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.
This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.
MeSH headings (categories)
This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.
|
|
Related articles
This article has not been indexed for related articles as yet, however you can still use the live related article search links below.
See a large map of 100+ related articles.