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Biomedical subjects

Helen Spiby

Publications and source records attributed to Helen Spiby.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Turning policy into practice: more difficult than it seems. The case of breastfeeding education.

Breastfeeding is increasingly recognized as a health policy priority. To achieve real change in breastfeeding rates, those who advise and support childbearing women need to be appropriately educated and trained so that they do not disrupt breastfeeding. The aim of this study was to conduct a needs analysis about breastfeeding training among a range of people who advise and support breastfeeding women, including breastfeeding women themselves, to contribute to future provision of education. A qualitative, interview-based study was conducted in one northern UK city with practitioners who support breastfeeding, and breastfeeding women, selected using purposive sampling. Individual (n = 73) and group (n = 9) interviews were conducted. Detailed notes were returned to each respondent for checking. Information was organized into themes. Coding was charted to enable comparison by theme and case. Four main themes emerged: perspectives of breastfeeding women; feeling (un)prepared to support breastfeeding; fragmentation of knowledge; and provision of education about breastfeeding. A deficit in education and training for all professional groups was identified. There was little evidence of informal shared learning among professional groups, and no evidence of usual mechanisms to ensure education and practice standards. Doctors received very little formal education; most relied on other health professionals to provide this expertise. Students encountered a chaotic learning environment where it was not possible to observe sound, consistent practice. Voluntary breastfeeding supporters felt well-prepared. The results call into question the potential for health services to respond to policy recommendations that support increased rates of breastfeeding.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed2006

Developing practice in breastfeeding.

This paper reports on an approach to practice development in breastfeeding as part of a national programme of work to address inequalities in maternal and child nutrition. The production and dissemination of evidence and guidelines is necessary but not sufficient on its own to effect change in practice, particularly when dealing with complex public health issues. In the case of breastfeeding, review evidence and national guidance have shown that multifaceted changes are essential if policy aspirations are to be realized. The objectives of the programme described here were to (1) inform and enable practice development in breastfeeding in low-income areas; (2) evaluate the impact of approaches used; and (3) develop robust approaches and appropriate material for use nationally. A conceptual framework was established, and a six-stage process is outlined. The recruitment of four sentinel sites across whole health economies, involving professionals and the voluntary sector, was an essential component of the programme. The strength of the model is that it provides a structured, cross-sectoral approach to practice development in public health. A key challenge is to identify whose responsibility it is to resource practice development when a number of disciplines and sectors are involved. This question needs to be addressed if public health guidance is to be of sustained benefit.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed2005

Smoking in pregnancy: the role of the transtheoretical model and the mother's attachment to the fetus.

This study investigated whether pregnant smokers demonstrated cognitive and behavioural patterns hypothesised to underpin the different stages of change (SOC) and whether fetal attachment varied according to this process. A cross-sectional design with women categorised by SOC was used and the sample was recruited from hospital maternity services in the U. K at their booking clinics with a mean gestation of 14 weeks. Experiential and behavioural processes together with self-efficacy and attachment to the fetus were measured in 637 women. As predicted by the transthoretical model experiential processes were used mostly by women in contemplation and preparation; behavioural processes mostly by women in preparation and action. However, self-efficacy remained constant between pre-contemplation, contemplation and preparation, but women in action showed significantly higher levels. Women in preparation were significantly more attached to the fetus than women in pre-contemplation and never smokers. The relevance of the transtheoretical model with pregnant smokers is supported. Foetal attachment may be differentially associated with different SOC in smoking cessation and yield potential for the development of new interventions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Preliminary evaluation of a coping strategy enhancement method of preparation for labour.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the use and effects of enhanced pre-existing coping strategies with the use and effects of coping strategies usually taught in National Health Service (NHS) antenatal education on women's experience of pain and emotions during labour. DESIGN: A between-group comparison of women who chose to attend NHS antenatal education where courses of preparation were randomly assigned to include either a new method of coping strategy enhancement (CSE) or standard taught coping strategies. SETTING: Two large maternity units in one city in the North of England. PARTICIPANTS: 20 women participated in antenatal classes incorporating the CSE method and 21 women participated in antenatal classes incorporating the standard approach to developing coping strategies for labour. FINDINGS: Women who attended CSE classes used enhanced coping strategies for a larger proportion of their labour than women who attended standard classes who used taught coping strategies. Birth companions were more involved in women's use of enhanced than taught strategies. Self-efficacy for use of coping strategies and subsequent experiences of pain and emotions during labour were equivalent between groups. KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: An approach based on enhancing pre-existing coping strategies was associated with greater coping strategy use and involvement from the birth companion, and provided benefits to women's overall experience of labour at least equivalent to that associated with standard preparation. Further research should explore this novel approach in larger groups, and for women who may choose not to attend group antenatal preparation.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2004

An interview study of the impact of domestic violence training on midwives.

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the impact on midwives of a training programme designed to increase their awareness and understanding of violence against women from men they know. DESIGN: a cross-sectional survey using semi-structured interviews. PARTICIPANTS: a stratified sample of 55 midwives who attended training between April 1999 and June 2000 were asked to participate, 26 agreed. SETTING: midwifery services of the Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust. RESULTS: participants reported greater awareness and understanding of domestic violence, and an increased likelihood of identifying and supporting women, partly through improved knowledge of other helping agencies. However, there was considerable uncertainty over issues of confidentiality and documentation. Practical difficulties were raised in implementing training within the midwifery role; these included time and privacy. CONCLUSION: this research adds to the scarce evidence base related to the effectiveness of health-care professionals' training in domestic violence. Further research should also explore the impact of training on women's experiences of healthcare.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

The range of coping strategies women use to manage pain and anxiety prior to and during first experience of labour.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether nulliparous women, during pregnancy, can identify their own pre-existing coping strategies for managing pain and anxiety and whether the range of coping strategies used in Labour by women who do not attend antenatal classes can be described. DESIGN: Qualitative semi-structured interviews. SETTING: Two large maternity units in a city in the North of England. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-three nulliparous women were interviewed during their third trimester of pregnancy (prior to any antenatal class attendance) regarding strategies used to cope with previous experiences of pain and anxiety. A separate sample of 20 women, who had not attended any form of antenatal education, were interviewed within 72h of their first experience of labour regarding the coping strategies used to manage pain and anxiety during labour. FINDINGS: Template Analysis was used to code data from transcribed interviews. The findings indicate that as women approach their first experience of labour they can identify coping strategies that they have employed to manage pain and anxiety in their past. Equally women who have not attended antenatal classes use a wide range of strategies in labour. The range of identified coping strategies is described and comprises thoughts and behaviours with positive and negative consequences. KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: It is possible to help nulliparous women to identify, in pregnancy, a range of strategies that they have previously employed to manage pain and anxiety. This range reflects the coping strategies that women may potentially use in labour to manage pain and anxiety. Women may benefit from assistance in pregnancy to develop strategies for labour that are based on knowledge of their own coping repertoire, which includes enhancing positive strategies and finding alternatives to negative strategies.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2003

Selected coping strategies in labor: an investigation of women's experiences.

BACKGROUND: Antenatal education classes offer women information about labor and birth and ways of coping with pain and emotional distress. The purpose of this paper was to describe women's experiences of using, starting, and discontinuing three coping strategies in labor that were taught in antenatal education classes. METHODS: An exploratory research design was used in which 121 women were interviewed within 72 hours of the birth of their first child. Information was obtained on why women initiated and discontinued their use of three coping strategies (breathing technique, postural changes, relaxation technique) and the reported effects of use. RESULTS: The effects of the coping strategies investigated varied widely among participants. Common aspects of care, changes of environment, and use of pharmacological pain relief affected women's discontinuation of coping strategies. CONCLUSIONS: The implications of study findings for clinical practice include the need for caregivers to provide women with accurate information about the effects of coping strategies and to be alert to aspects of care that may disrupt women's use of strategies.

Adaptation, Psychological↗