Midwifery lecturers and caseload management: recommendations for practice using a modified Delphi technique

Abstract

Combining clinical and academic practice is a relatively new and evolving reality for midwife lecturers in New Zealand. Some evidence suggests that it is also becoming a practice in other countries. Personal knowledge indicates that continuity of care caseload management is the clinical practice option many midwife lecturers choose. This reflects the fact that 70% to 80% of pregnant women in New Zealand have the same midwife providing their care throughout their childbirth experience. There are positives and negatives to caseload clinical practice for the lecturer, the students and the institution. Clinical practice can enhance the lecturer's teaching, increase the educational and clinical credibility of the lecturer and University or Polytechnic and increase job satisfaction. However, the logistics of juggling these multiple roles, while at the same time maintaining your health and sanity, can be difficult, with role overload and role stress being possible outcomes. This research project used a modified Delphi technique to develop working recommendations for midwife lecturers who carry a continuity caseload, and their Department/School managers. The project resulted in a set of recommendations consisting of twenty-six items. The main focus of the recommendations deals with arrangement of workload, contractual issues and support issues. The recommendations may enable the lecturer to effectively set up and run a small practice in addition to her educational duties and may help to reduce the strain of such multiple roles.