Women and Birth
Volume 20, Issue 1 , Pages 31-34, March 2007

The effect of professional socialisation on midwives’ practice

  • Myra Parsons

      Affiliations

    • Midwife in private practice, University of Western Sydney, NSW, Australia
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author.
    • ,
  • Rhonda Griffiths

      Affiliations

    • South West Sydney Centre for Applied Nursing Research, Australia
    • NSW Centre for Evidence Based Health Care, South Western Sydney Area Health Service, Australia
    • Midwife in private practice, University of Western Sydney, NSW, Australia

Received 10 April 2006; received in revised form 23 September 2006; accepted 25 September 2006.

Summary 

This article discusses the influence that professional socialisation can have on midwifery practice. Differences in beliefs and practices regarding the oral intake of labouring women were the basis for this paper's discussion. Midwives should be aware of the problems that may be caused by the socialisation processes experienced during the training and subsequent working life of a midwife which aim to procure obedience and unquestioning conformity. These attributes diminish the ability of midwives to challenge traditional practices and to make decisions based on the available research evidence and the preferences of women in their care. Basing practice on tradition or practice conventions rather than a formal guideline or an evidence-based policy may expose a midwife to potential litigation should there be an adverse event.

Keywords: Professional socialisation, Midwifery, Practice, Policy, Guideline

 

PII: S1871-5192(06)00090-4

doi:10.1016/j.wombi.2006.09.003

Women and Birth
Volume 20, Issue 1 , Pages 31-34, March 2007

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