Quality of Life and Associated Factors among Mothers with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus by using a Specific GDMQ-36 Questionnaire: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) has physical, social, mental, and psychological consequences that can affect mothers' Quality of Life (QOL). This study was conducted with the aim to evaluate the QOL of mothers with GDM and its associated factors using a specific questionnaire. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 mothers with GDM who were referred to clinics affiliated with Shahid Beheshti University and Qom University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in 2019-2020. The specific QOL questionnaire for women with GDM (GDMQ-36) and the demographic questionnaire were completed for participants. Independent variables were entered into the multiple linear regression model and were analyzed. Results: The total Mean(SD) score of the QOL of mothers with GDM who participated in the study was 46.83 (11.66) based on percentage. The highest and lowest QOL Mean (SD) scores were obtained on the support 76.50 (14.50) and concerns about a high-risk pregnancy 31.40 (19.80), subscales, respectively. The total QOL score decreased by 7.14 and 5 points on average in mothers treated with medication regimens and mothers who had a pre-high school education, respectively. The support subscale score increased by 5 points in mothers who had a previous history of GDM. Conclusions: The present study showed that the QOL of women with GDM had been severely affected by concerns about a high-risk pregnancy. Some individual and social factors can be associated with the QOL of mothers with GDM and its subscales.

Influence of Self-Compassion on the Health of Midwives and Nurses: Protocol for a Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Self-compassion is recognized to have a positive effect upon a person's health. However, the influence of self-compassion on the health of midwives and nurses is less well understood. Midwives and nurses often work in highly demanding environments and situations, and are exposed to multiple work-based stressors simultaneously. Stressors such as a demanding clinical workload, high acuity, missing breaks, working more than their contracted hours, insufficient resources and staff, and poor patient outcomes can lead to midwives and nurses feeling physically exhausted and at increased risk of poor mental health. Self-compassion may act as a protective factor, assisting midwives and nurses to remain healthy. OBJECTIVE: This scoping review will provide an overview of the evidence base relating to the influence of self-compassion on the health of midwives and nurses. METHODS: The purpose of a scoping review is to comprehensively and systematically review the literature and identify key evidence or gaps. The search strategy for this protocol includes electronic databases such as Medline, Embase, Emcare, PsycInfo, Joanna Briggs Institute, Cochrane Library, and Scopus. Grey literature sources will be also searched, including ProQuest Central, internet search engines (Google Scholar), and manually searched key journals and reference lists of relevant articles. This scoping review will be undertaken in seven stages, guided by established scoping review methods and reporting guidelines: (1) identifying the research questions; (2) identifying relevant studies; (3) selecting the studies; (4) charting the data; (5) collating, summarizing, and reporting the results; (6) consulting; and (7) dissemination of knowledge. Data will be abstracted and presented using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews checklist and explanation by three independent researchers. RESULTS: A preliminary search conducted in Medline (OVID) retrieved 194 results. Completion of the review is expected in December 2020 and will be published in early 2021. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this will be the first scoping review of evidence-based literature relating to the influence of self-compassion on the health of midwives and nurses. It is anticipated that this analysis of the literature will contribute to understanding how midwives and nurses may use self-compassion in a proactive way to reduce work-based stressors such as burnout, stress, and compassion fatigue. Furthermore, the findings may inform educational needs with implications for clinical practice. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/21917.

Transition experiences of internationally qualified midwives practising midwifery in Australia.

BACKGROUND: Internationally qualified midwives comprise approximately 13% of the Australian midwifery workforce. Despite their central role in the Australian midwifery system, understanding of their transitional experiences is limited. AIM: To explore the transitional experiences of internationally qualified midwives practising in Australia. METHOD: A descriptive qualitative study was undertaken, as the second phase of a larger mixed methods study. In this paper we present in-depth insights from 11 internationally qualified midwives practising in Australia. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted between May-August 2018, digitally recorded and then transcribed. Transcriptions were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. FINDINGS: Participants in this study identified that the different culture of the work environment, differences in midwifery practice, lack of autonomy in their practice and perceived discrimination influenced their transition into Australian midwifery practice. Four themes were identified: 'Differences in midwifery practice', 'Cultural incongruence', 'Discrimination' and 'Mixed emotions'. DISCUSSION: Success during the complex transition process depends on the migrant midwives' ability to build a sense of belonging, and to develop and adopt strategies that assist in dealing with new workplaces and an unfamiliar workforce. CONCLUSION: A structured transition program prior to commencing practice, as well as an evidence-based workplace mentorship program with a focus on Australian midwifery care and culture, may be effective strategies to facilitate their transition. To promote awareness of multiculturalism within the work environment, this study recommends actively encouraging host staff to further develop perspectives that enable them to create positive relationships with staff from other cultures.

Transitional Experiences of Internationally Qualified Midwives Practicing in Australia: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 13% of the total Australian midwifery workforce is internationally qualified. Although the internationally qualified midwives (IQMs) play a significant role in the Australian midwifery system, there is limited understanding of their transitional experiences. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study protocol is to explore the transitional experiences and views of IQMs practicing in Australia, through the investigation of demographic profiles and key challenges that influence a smooth transition. METHODS: This paper presents an explanatory sequential mixed methods study protocol. This protocol incorporates an e-survey and individual interviews. The e-survey in the first phase will be distributed to IQMs in Australia via the website e-bulletins of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation and the Australian College of Midwives. Additionally, potential respondents will be recruited via social media (ie, Twitter and Facebook) and associated snowball sampling. Data from the e-survey will be statistically analyzed. At the end of the e-survey, respondents will be asked whether they are willing to take part in an interview. The results of the e-survey and relevant literature review will help to develop a guideline for interview questions for the second phase. In phase two, a purposeful sample of participants will be recruited using the same selection criteria as for the e-survey. Semistructured interviews will provide a deeper insight into the transitional experiences of IQMs. Data from the interviews will then be thematically analyzed. RESULTS: An integration of the e-survey results (phase one) and interview findings (phase two) will be synthesized to explore and better understand the transitional experiences of this group of midwives. It is anticipated that data collection and analysis will be completed by June 2019 and results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications in late 2019. CONCLUSIONS: This research protocol may generate new knowledge about the transition of IQMs in Australia. These findings could be used to formulate recommendations to inform the transition of future IQMs in Australia. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/13406.