History of the project
An overview of the development of MPR Project
The Australian College of Midwives Midwifery Practice Review Project was funded by the (former) Australian Commission for the Safety and Quality in Health Care. The Project was managed by a Project Management Committee appointed by ACM.
At the commencement of the project, a literature review was undertaken to guide the development of the initial draft of the Midwifery Practice Review process. This review drew on literature and examples of similar programs for midwives from the UK, New Zealand, Canada, and NSW in Australia. We also looked at similar type programs for other professions including mental health and critical care nurses.
A draft example of what a Midwifery Practice Review might look like was developed from this literature review. The draft was presented to practising midwives at workshops in each Australian State and Territory. In total, 217 midwives attended these workshops and provided valuable feedback. The Nurse and Midwife Regulatory authorities (NMRA) were also consulted at this stage. In addition, 136 written surveys were received. An Advisory Group meeting was also held with representation from Australian Association of Rural Nurses (AARN), Australian Lactation Consultants Association (ALCA), Australian Society of Independent Midwives(ASIM), National Association of Childbirth Educators (NACE), Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG), Royal College of Nursing Australia(RCNA), Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA), Women’s Hospitals Australasia (WHA), and representation from the Chief Nursing Offices in some states. Further refinement of the Midwifery Practice Review process was developed from the written material and the discussion stimulated at these workshops and meetings. The Project Management Committee also provided valuable feedback.
Pilot Testing
As a result of the first stage of consultation, a second draft was developed and used in the next phase of the project which included pilot testing.
The pilot testing incorporated an observation of the credentialing process in NSW and the conduct of two one-day workshops in Queensland and the ACT. The pilot test workshops were presented in a facilitative and interactive format and the feedback received from the midwives and consumers who participated was invaluable in shaping the Midwifery Practice Review process further. A total of 16 midwives and six consumers participated in the pilot testing in the ACT and Queensland.
After the pilot testing phase, the Midwifery Practice Review process was further refined. This also involved meetings with the Project Management Committee and discussions at the national one day seminar as part of the Annual General Meeting of the College. We also worked closely with the Continuing Development (CPD) Project team to ensure that the Midwifery Practice Review program was part of the overall CPD Framework.
National Reviewer Training Workshop
The next phase of the project brought together midwives and consumers from all over Australia for a national workshop. The purpose of this workshop was to train and support midwives and consumers who have an interest in being reviewers. ACM Branches in each State and Territory were asked to nominate two midwives and two consumers to attend the workshop.
The National Reviewer Training Workshop was held over two days at the end of November 2006. In total, 22 participants representing every State and Territory made up the final numbers of attendees. The workshop was presented in a facilitative and interactive format with discussion, participant involvement, observation of role plays and participation in the Midwifery Practice Review process.
Finally, the project team finalised documentation, terms of reference, position statements, policies and marketing material for the implementation and evaluation of Midwifery Practice Review.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the midwives, managers and key stakeholders for their commitment, interest and involvement in the Midwifery Practice Review project throughout 2006. Your continued involvement is essential to the success of Midwifery Practice Review.
Caroline Homer and Marnie Griffiths
Midwifery Practice Review Project Team for the Project Management Committee