References

Chen CA, Leung TI. Substance use disorders.: Springer; 2019

Hunter B, Fenwick J, Sidebotham M, Henley J. Midwives in the United Kingdom: levels of burnout, depression, anxiety and stress and associated predictors. Midwifery. 2019; 79 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2019.08.008

Monroe TB, Kenaga H, Dietrich MS, Carter MA, Cowan RL. The prevalence of employed nurses identified or enrolled in substance use monitoring programs. Nursing Research. 2013; 62:(1)10-15 https://doi.org/10.1097/NNR.0b013e31826ba3ca

Bad apples? Bad barrels? Or bad cellars? Antecedents and processes of professional misconduct in UK Health and Social Care: insights into sexual misconduct and dishonesty. 2017. https://www.professionalstandards.org.uk/docs/default-source/publications/research-paper/antecedents-and-processes-of-professional-misconduct-in-uk-health-and-social-care.pdf

Servodidio CA. Alcohol abuse in the workplace and patient safety. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing. 2011; 15:(2)143-145 https://doi.org/10.1188/11.CJON.143-145

Weenink JW, Kool RB, Bartels RH, Westert GP. Getting back on track: a systematic review of the outcomes of remediation and rehabilitation programmes for healthcare professionals with performance concerns. BMJ Quality and Safety. 2017; 26:1004-1014 https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjqs-2017-006710

Exploring problematic substance use among registered midwives

02 April 2020
Comment
02 April 2020
Volume 28 · Issue 4
Stress from working long hours and coping with workloads cause some midwives to burnout
Stress from working long hours and coping with workloads cause some midwives to burnout

Abstract

A national call for midwives to participate in research to explore their own and others' personal substance use

There is a united level of concern for the health and wellbeing of midwives in the UK, where recent research has shown that many of these midwives experience work-related stress and burnout (Hunter et al, 2019). Such experiences may lead to midwives being at particular risk of substance use/misuse (Monroe et al, 2013). In fact, in a recent review of fitness-to-practise cases, a number of those put before the Nursing and Midwifery Council related to alcohol (n=208) and drug misuse (n=131) (Searle et al, 2017).

‘Recent research has shown that many of these midwives experience work-related stress and burnout’

Such episodes of addiction, alcohol and drug use are classed as individual health concerns. Yet, while they can leave a variety of healthcare professionals depleted, and both workplace safety and the safety of care compromised (Servodidio, 2011), relevant literature has thus far been largely dominated by the experiences and care of physicians (Weenink et al, 2017; Chen and Leung, 2019). Consequently, researchers from Coventry University are now conducting the first nationwide study of registered midwives in relation to this issue. The aims of this study are:

  • To investigate substance use among midwives registered in the UK
  • To explore the perceptions of midwives registered in the UK in relation to midwifery impairment
  • To explore perceptions of midwives registered in the UK in relation to organisational support
  • To identify incidents of midwifery impairment
  • To explore the help-seeking behaviours of midwives registered in the UK with problematic substance use (PSU)
  • To identify health risks among midwives registered in the UK with PSU.
    • Stress from working long hours and coping with workloads cause some midwives to burnout

    The study is being led by Dr Sally Pezaro at Coventry University. The research team is looking for as many midwives registered to work in the UK to take part. Your participation in the survey is entirely voluntary, and you can opt out at any stage by closing and exiting the browser.

    If you are happy to take part, you can access the survey via this link: http://bit.ly/MidwivesSubstanceUse

    Your insights will help us to better understand the phenomena of substance use in midwifery populations and identify any barriers to support. The survey should take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Your answers will be treated confidentially and the information you provide will be kept anonymous in any research outputs/publications. Your data will be held securely on password-protected computers and project folders hosted by Coventry University. All data will be deleted by 1 May 2021. The project has been reviewed and approved through the formal research ethics procedure at Coventry University.

    Please note: we will not be able to track or identify you in any way. As such, there will be no repercussions arising from anything you disclose. We are only interested in understanding, so please help us by keeping your responses anonymous throughout.