Midwives' experience of organisational and professional change.
OBJECTIVE
to describe midwives' experiences of changes in their caring role and professional function in postpartum wards in the northern part of Sweden. In this part of the country, three out of eight maternity departments have been closed over the last 5 years. During the same period, hospital stays have reduced in length, and an early discharge model has been introduced.


METHODS
focus-group discussions.


METHODS
four focus groups at two hospitals in northern Sweden.


METHODS
21 midwives experienced in midwifery practice in maternity wards.


RESULTS
the analysis revealed four categories of comments: 'to have limited time when caring for the mother and the baby'; 'no longer being valued as the expert'; 'a wish to have responsibility for childbirth in its entirety'; 'to see future possibilities in the development of the profession'. The theme identified is 'being ahead in ideas about caring but still partly caught up in the past'.


CONCLUSIONS
the identified theme of being ahead in ideas about caring but still partly caught up in the past can be understood as representing a transition. The midwives experienced loss and grief over their former midwifery practice, but had ideas and visions for developing and expanding their future professional role. A healthy transition requires support, participation and skilled management.
Lindberg
Inger
I
Division of Nursing, Department of Health Science, Luleå University of Technology, Hedenbrovägen, SE 961 36 Boden, Sweden. inger.lindberg@ltu.se
Christensson
Kyllike
K
Ohrling
Kerstin
K
D000328:Adult; D002055:Burnout, Professional; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008880:Midwifery / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D033262:Narration; D024802:Nurse's Role; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden