Firstly, the reason that it has taken me a while to write here is that I have been buried in the most fascinating data from round one of my Delphi study to achieve consensus in the development of an online intervention designed to support midwives in work-related psychological distress. I won’t spoil the results for you, as I hope to be publishing the results in the new year, but suffice to say, there were many conflicted opinions, new ideas and strong voices within this expert panel.
I am very excited to move forward with this project in light of these responses!
This project now feels as if it is starting to belong to the people who have been a part of this so far. They are shaping the vision for this, and growing it with their support…. Its awesome!
Last month I was also finalising the revisions for my latest paper , ‘Midwives Overboard!’ Inside their hearts are breaking, their makeup may be flaking but their smile still stays on. This latest output was kindly co-authored by Wendy Clyne, Andrew Turner, Emily A. Fulton, and Clare Gerada. I for one am very proud of this piece of work, as it shines a light upon the current situation, in which midwives all around the world are indeed suffering in psychological distress. Writing this piece not only became cathartic in resolving my own professional experiences, but it has also reinforced to me that there is a real need and desire to design an intervention to support midwives….and now I am a little closer to turning this vision into practice.
You can reach the 2nd round of the Delphi study here (This study is now invite only, but watch out for new opportunities to become involved in more research soon)!
I have been submitting papers to conference so that I may begin to share these results in person…but I will not have this opportunity until the ‘Great Minds Don’t Think Alike’ – Nursing and Midwifery Conference, in January 2016.
I hope to meet some of you there!
Dr Sally Pezaro 