Jennifer Fereday

Demonstrating Rigor Using Thematic Analysis: A Hybrid Approach of Inductive and Deductive Coding and Theme Development

In this article, the authors describe how they used a hybrid process of inductive and deductive thematic analysis to interpret raw data in a doctoral study on the role of performance feedback in the self-assessment of nursing practice. The methodological approach integrated data-driven codes with theory-driven ones based on the tenets of social phenomenology. The authors present a detailed exemplar of the staged process of data coding and identification of themes. This process demonstrates how analysis of the raw data from interview transcripts and organizational documents progressed toward the identification of overarching themes that captured the phenomenon of performance feedback as described by participants in the study.

An evaluation of Midwifery Group Practice: Part II: Women’s satisfaction

BACKGROUND Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) is a continuity of midwifery care model for women of all levels of pregnancy risk available at a tertiary metropolitan hospital in Australia. This paper presents Part II of the demonstration study exploring the effectiveness of MGP, and reports on womens satisfaction with the model of care. METHODS A Maternal Satisfaction Questionnaire was developed and sent to all women (n=120) enrolled in MGP over a three-month period. The questionnaire comprised two open-ended questions asking women to list up to three things they liked and did not like about MGP, and a structured section exploring levels of satisfaction through a five-point Likert response format. The open-ended questions were analysed using qualitative content analysis, and analysis of the structured part of the questionnaire was undertaken by comparing mean scores of satisfaction ranging from -2 (very negative attitudes) to +2 (very positive attitudes). RESULTS Of the 120 women who were sent a Maternal Satisfaction Questionnaire, 84 returned their questionnaire (70% response rate). Three overarching themes were identified in the content analysis of open-ended questions, namely: Continuity of care; Accessibility; and Personal and professional attributes of the midwife. Analysis of the structured part of the questionnaire showed that women were satisfied with the care they received in MGP, as indicated by positive scores on all questions. CONCLUSIONS Women being cared for in MGP are satisfied with their care.

Antenatal breast expression: Exploration and extent of teaching practices amongst International Board Certified Lactation Consultant midwives across Australia

BACKGROUND Antenatal breast expression (ABE) has been taught in the past as breast preparation. Now some authorities are advising ABE and storage of colostrum for the feeding the newborn in the treatment and/or prevention of hypoglycaemia in the immediate postnatal period (thus avoiding the need for formula supplementation). The actual incidence of ABE teaching amongst International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Midwives is unknown. Results of this study will provide valuable baseline data for future randomised controlled trials into this practice. RESEARCH QUESTION What are the teaching practices surrounding ABE and the incidence of this type of teaching by IBCLC Midwives across Australia? METHOD A descriptive cross-sectional Internet survey containing both quantitative and qualitative questions was sent to Australian IBCLC Midwives. Simple descriptive statistics was used to analyse quantitative data. Content analysis examined qualitative textual data of open-ended questions. FINDINGS Response rate was 27% (n=347/1269). 93% (n=322) of those responding to the survey had heard of ABE. 60% (n=134) actively teach the practice. Descriptive statistics and content analysis revealed marked differences in teaching practices amongst this specialised group of midwives. CONCLUSION This study suggested a large proportion of lactation qualified midwife respondents were aware of ABE and some currently teach the skill. However, advice given to women during pregnancy varied substantially.

‘Postcards From the Edge’: Collaborating with young homeless people to develop targeted mental health messages and translate research into practice

Abstract Mental health problems are a serious issue for homeless youth in Australia, as in many countries. Of further concern, these young people are unlikely to access much needed mental health services. Our previous research identified that homeless young people with mental health problems often felt stigmatised and discriminated against, especially when trying to access and engage with health and social services. A further finding was the difficulties homeless youth encountered when trying to manage regular psychiatric medications, especially when their lives lacked any form of stability and security. This paper discusses the translation of our research findings through the development of targeted health messages ‘for homeless youth by homeless youth’ using a series of workshops and consultations to facilitate the design of two series of postcards. The first series of postcards delivered powerful messages of the lived experiences of these young people expressed through their own art design and poignant words, and provided practical information to assist others to identify services that could assist them. The second series contained targeted messages for taking medication that were formulated by the study participants and were grounded in their experiences of managing medication and the supports that enabled adherence to medication regimes. The postcards presented here are a real world example of research translation developed by homeless youth with mental health problems to reach out and help others in similar situations.

Evaluating performance feedback: a research study into issues of credibility and utility for nursing clinicians

Abstract Performance feedback is information provided to employees about how well they are performing in their work role. The nursing profession has a long history of providing formal, written performance reviews, traditionally from a manager to subordinate, with less formal feedback sources including peers, clients and multidisciplinary team members. This paper is based on one aspect of a PhD research study exploring the dynamics of performance feedback primarily from the nursing clinicians’ perspective. The research reported here discusses the impact of the social relationship (between the source and recipient of performance feedback) on the recipient’s evaluation of feedback as being ‘credible’ and ‘useful’ for self-assessment. Focus group interviews were utilised to ascertain the nursing clinicians’ perspectives of performance feedback. Thematic analysis of the data was informed by the Social Phenomenology of Alfred Schutz (1967) specifically his theories of intersubjective understanding. Findings supported the level of familiarity between the feedback source and the nursing clinician as a significant criterion influencing the acceptance or rejection of feedback. Implications for the selection of performance feedback sources and processes within nursing are discussed.