Women-with-midwives-with-women: a model of interdependence.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a research-based conceptual model of midwifery practice.


METHODS
Qualitative using grounded theory.


METHODS
Midwifery practice in New Zealand and Scotland.


METHODS
250 midwives and 219 clients from the two countries.


RESULTS
Data from the participants provided the contextual background as well as the major categories. Forming the background were the concepts of: beliefs, colleagues, culture, experience, expertise, education, environment, friends, families, intuition, knowledge and professionalism. The major categories of the model which emerged from the data were: attending and presencing, supplementing and complementing, reflection and reflexivity. These are discussed as pairs while the basic social process (core category) of reciprocity embraces the whole midwife-client relationship.


CONCLUSIONS
This model offers the beginnings of documentary evidence of the essence of the midwife-client relationship and may go some way towards the creation of a written body of midwifery knowledge. It has potential applicability for both midwifery education and practice.
Fleming
V E
VE
Department of Nursing and Community Health, Glasgow Caledonian University, UK. V.Fleming@gcal.ac.uk
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003858:Dependency, Psychological; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D008880:Midwifery / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016294:Models, Nursing; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009520:New Zealand; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012606:Scotland