title: An exploration of postpartum women's perspective on desired obstetric nursing qualities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To gain an understanding of the perceptions of postpartum women regarding the desired nursing qualities of obstetric nurses.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Giving birth is one of the most memorable events in a woman's life. A positive birth experience can foster women's self-worth and promote family relationship. As obstetric nurses play an important role in facilitating birth-giving experiences, it is essential to explore postpartum women's desired nursing qualities of obstetric nurses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative approach based on 15 individual semi-structural interviews
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen postpartum women who had given birth to healthy newborns were selected through purposive sampling approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and audio recorded in a private hospital in Hong Kong according to an interview guideline. Colaizzi's framework was used as a guideline to carry out interpretative phenomenological analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five themes related to preferred obstetric nurses' qualities were captured: (1) providing information, (2) performing nursing skills in competent manner, (3) demonstrating a positive attitude, (4) attending to individual needs and (5) demonstrating cultural competence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nurses who demonstrate their skills, knowledge and attitude as well as their ability to give physical, psychological and educational support to postpartum women will be able to enhance patients' positive labour experience, resulting in greater patient satisfaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By exploring postpartum women's desired qualities of obstetric nurses, nurses will gain a better understanding in their role and the definition of competent attitudes and skills. Nurses with preferred nursing qualities can enhance professional practice and patients' experience during the postpartum period, resulting in increased patient satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Zenobia
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Cy Chan
authors.forename: Kwan Sau
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Wing Man
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Ka Yi
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Yiu Cheung
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Kwok
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy
keywords: nurse roles; nursing qualities; obstetric nurses; perception; postpartum care