The practical utility of woman-centred care according to women at Edinburgh Napier University on FindAPhD.com

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Prof Yvonne Kuipers, Dr Yvonne Greig, Dr Jenny Patterson No more applications being accepted Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Edinburgh United Kingdom Midwifery

School of Health and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University

About the Project

Woman-centred care has been recognised as a marker of quality in midwifery services, acknowledged in various policy and organisational documents. Woman-centred care is a philosophy authentic to midwifery that scaffolds and precedes the practical capacity and utility of woman-centred care in daily practice. The philosophical aspects of the concept have been well explored as well as midwives’ perspectives of woman-centred care. However, the day-to-day practical utility of woman-centred care, occurring on the interpersonal (inter)action level between the childbearing woman and her healthcare provider, has yet not been systematically and methodologically studied. A first step is to establish women’s (consensus of) perceptions and views on interpersonal actions that fit the concept of woman-centred care. Currently, woman-centred care criteria are set by the health care professional or by measures that derive from healthcare domains other than midwifery – this is not in accordance with the concept of woman-centred care. Addressing this knowledge gap is important to propose strategies for healthcare practitioners, evaluation of maternity services and for research.

This full or part time PhD studentship offers the successful applicant an opportunity to address these gaps in research evidence, by designing and conducting a mixed-methods review to collate and synthesise which interpersonal (inter)action indicators or (quality) markers of woman-centred care are presented. The review is followed by a modified Delphi study, organising the practical woman-centred care indicators or standards as recognised by women.

The team has 1) advanced topic-related knowledge and experience (Prof. Dr. Kuipers), 2) research expertise in woman-centred care, (Prof. Dr. Kuipers), 3) research expertise in developing midwifery (Dr. Greig, Dr. Patterson), 4) advanced methodology-related knowledge and expertise (all team members).

We look forward hearing from you. We welcome full-time and part-time applications. If you are applying for funding, please do so before contacting us.

Academic qualifications

A first degree (at least a 2.1) ideally in a health or social care discipline with a good fundamental knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods.

English language requirement

IELTS score must be at least 6.5 (with not less than 6.0 in each of the four components). Other, equivalent qualifications will be accepted. Full details of the University’s policy are available online.

Essential attributes:

· A commitment to Doctoral study

· Competent in working independently

· Experience of mixed-methods research methods

· Competent in literature searching, selecting and appraising

· Knowledge of the midwifery domain (inter)nationally Click here to enter text.

· Good written and oral communication skills

· Strong motivation, with evidence of independent research skills relevant to the project

· Good time management

Desirable attributes:

· Knowledge and/or experience of working and communicating with individuals, ideally in a healthcare setting

· MSc in research methods or similar postgraduate qualification

· Experience/ involvement in reviews (systematic, scoping, integrative…)

· Experience of using quantitative and/or qualitative research methods such as surveys, questionnaires, interviews or focus groups

· Experience of using quantitative and/or qualitative data analysis software such as NVivo and/or SPSS

TO APPLY PLEASE CLICK ON THE 'INSTITUTION WEBSITE' LINK ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THIS PAGE.

When applying, please quote the application reference SHSC0045 on your form.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

· Completed application form

· CV

· 2 academic references, using the Postgraduate Educational Reference Form (Found on the application process page)

· A personal research statement (This should include (a) a brief description of your relevant experience and skills, (b) an indication of

· What you would uniquely bring to the project and (c) a statement of how this project fits with your future direction.)

· Evidence of proficiency in English (if appropriate)

Funding Notes

Self-funding applicants. Overseas candidates are welcome to apply but will have to pay the EU or Overseas fees.

References

(Fontein)Kuipers, Y., van Beeck, E., van den Berg, L., Dijkhuizen, M. (2021). The comparison of the interpersonal action component of woman-centred care reported by healthy pregnant women in different sized practices in the Netherlands: A cross-sectional study. Women and Birth, 34(4):e376-383.
Fontein-Kuipers, Y., de Groot, R., van Beeck, E., van Hooft, S., van Staa, A. (2019). Dutch midwives’ views on and experiences with woman-centred care – A Q-methodology study. Women and Birth, 32:e567-575.
Fontein-Kuipers Y, de Groot R, van Staa, A. (2018). Woman-centered care 2.0.: Bringing the concept into focus. European Journal of Midwifery, 2(5):1-12.
Kuipers, Y.J. (2020). Exploring the uses of virtues in woman-centred care: A quest, synthesis and reflection. Nursing Philosophy, e12380.
Patterson, J. and Menage, D. (2020). Compassion as a powerful intervention: how the interactions between women, midwives, and maternity services influence women’s childbirth experiences and subsequent trauma. The Practising Midwife, 23(8), pp.41-45.
Patterson, J., Hollins Martin, C.J., Karatzias, T. (2019). PTSD post-childbirth: a systematic review of women’s and midwives’ subjective experiences of care provider interaction. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology37(1) pp. 56-83.doi: 10.1080/02646838.2018.1504285