title: Hermeneutic phenomenology: a methodology of choice for midwives.
abstract: Hermeneutic phenomenology has been used widely by researchers to understand lived experiences. This methodology asserts that individual people are as unique as their life stories. The practice of midwifery is underpinned by a philosophy that values women and the uniqueness of their child-bearing journey. The tenets of hermeneutics phenomenology align with those of contemporary midwifery practice, making it a useful research methodology for providing insights into issues relevant to the profession. The purpose of this paper is to unravel some foundational concepts of hermeneutic phenomenology and recommend it as a methodology of choice for midwives to apply to their application to midwifery-in-action.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University, Gippsland Campus, Churchill, Victoria, Australia. maureen.miles@monash.edu
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miles
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Francis
authors.forename: Ysanne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.forename: Beverley
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Heidegger; hermeneutics; midwifery; phenomenology; qualitative research