Maternity emergency care: short course in maternity emergencies for remote area health staff with no midwifery qualifications.
OBJECTIVE
To improve the maternity emergency skills and knowledge of health service providers, without midwifery qualifications, in remote Australia.


METHODS
A descriptive paper utilising data from a needs assessment and course evaluations used to develop and refine a short course in maternity emergencies.


METHODS
Remote area health providers.


METHODS
A multidisciplinary short course, targeting non-midwives in remote areas, aimed at improving knowledge and skills in detection, management and referral of maternity emergencies.


RESULTS
Ten courses have been delivered to 175 participants. Evaluations demonstrate a highly valued program, well received and supported by remote health staff.


CONCLUSIONS
The course is an important strategy to improve the maternity services offered to women in remote Australia.
Kildea
Sue
S
Institute of Advanced Studies, Charles Darwin University, Northern Territory, Australia. sue.kildea@cdu.edu.au
Kruske
Sue
S
Bowell
Libby
L
D001315:Australia; D003479:Curriculum; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000193:education*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services; D008880:Midwifery; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009773:Obstetric Nursing / Q000193:education*; D011247:Pregnancy; D015397:Program Evaluation; D019035:Rural Health Services