Abstract for presentation at 11th International Congress of Human Genetics

Genetics education for midwives in Victoria (Australia) - The current scene

  • Ms Yasmin Bylstra, GEM Consortium, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
  • Fiona Bishop, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and The University of Melbourne, Australia
  • Dr Fiona Cullinane, The Royal Women's Hospital, Victoria, Australia, Australia
  • Sylvia Metcalfe, Australia

    • As genetic testing is offered to expectant parents and newborn children in Victorian hospitals, the role of genetics is becoming increasingly important in the practice of health professionals, including midwives. To a gain better understanding of current genetics knowledge and training in midwifery, 11 interviews with key informants such as managers, educators and policy makers were conducted as well as 9 focus groups with midwives from 7 different Victorian maternity hospitals and 2 genetic focus groups with specialists. Qualitative analysis of these interviews and focus groups has shown that although both midwives and key informants agree that genetics plays a large role in midwifery, managers were unsure of midwives' genetics knowledge as there are currently no genetics training prerequisites to work in antenatal, delivery or post natal wards. Midwife training appears to be a combination of ad hoc midwife-instigated and manager-led sessions with the amount varying greatly between each organisation. Although genetics education is regarded as important, some mangers are concerned that a greater emphasis on genetics knowledge and its translation into practice could increase demands of a midwife's already heavy workload. Midwives, however, have expressed that dealing with genetic issues is already a part of their day to day practice (Bishop et al.,ICHG2006 Abstract). There were also concerns from managers about the difficulties of continuity of education because of irregular working hours midwives have and lack of requirements for continuing education for their registration. Yet, if the expansion of a midwife's role to incorporate genetics is emphasised by the government then managers will ensure that midwives receive appropriate training. It appears that in order to develop a genetics education strategy which will support midwives in maintaining continuity of care to women it will be important to involve both midwives and their managers, peak bodies and government.

    Conference Organiser - ICMS Pty Ltd