Introdução: Atualmente, a literatura evidencia que os profissionais de saúde reconhecem a ocorrência de dor no recém-nascido (RN), embora realizem a avaliação de forma empírica e não sistematizada. Assim, os próprios profissionais apontam a necessidade de treinamento e capacitação em relação à avaliação da dor nesta população. Dessa forma, destaca-se a educação a distância (EAD) como alternativa de organização de novos espaços assíncronos de difusão do conhecimento por oferecer diversas vantagens. O Programa de Avaliação da Dor Neonatal (PAD-Neo) foi desenvolvido com vistas a aprimorar o conhecimento de alunos e profissionais de saúde sobre essa temática. O PAD-Neo está hospedado no Ambiente Virtual de Aprendizagem (AVA) Moodle extensão e é composto por 10 módulos, cujas temáticas incluem definições e conceitos básicos de fisiologia da dor, componentes de avaliação da dor no RN, princípios de mensuração e avaliação da dor neonatal, além de apresentar detalhadamente cinco instrumentos específicos e validados para avaliar a dor em RN. Os módulos são compostos por videoaulas, vídeos, imagens, textos para leitura complementar, fóruns de discussão, exercícios, entre outros. Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade do curso online PAD-Neo, sob a perspectiva de especialistas. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo exploratório descritivo, no qual oito especialistas em dor neonatal, oito especialistas em neonatologia e oito especialistas em EAD, que atenderam aos critérios de elegibilidade estabelecidos, foram convidados a avaliar o PAD-Neo, por intermédio do envio de uma carta convite eletrônica. A avaliação do curso online foi realizada utilizando-se um formulário constituído por questões de caracterização dos especialistas e 20 questões relacionadas à avaliação da aparência e do conteúdo do curso. Para cada um dos 20 itens avaliados a pontuação variou de 0 a 1, sendo que valores médios inferiores a 0,70 foram considerados indicativos para modificações no curso. Resultados: As 24 especialistas participantes do estudo são do gênero feminino, com idade média de 43 anos. Dessas, dezoito (75%) são graduadas em enfermagem, quatro (16,7%) psicólogas, uma (4,2%) fisioterapeuta e uma (4,2%) designer instrucional. A maioria das especialistas possui título de Doutora (62,5%) e são docentes universitárias (41,6%). Quanto às médias das respostas das especialistas nos itens avaliados, todos os valores médios ficaram acima de 0,70, a saber: navegação livre (média 0,92), clareza das informações (0,97), facilidade de localização das informações (0,89), pertinência do conteúdo (0,96), contextualização (0,94), correção de conteúdo (0,98), múltiplas janelas (0,97), facilidade de aprendizagem na interação (0,96), eficiência de utilização (0,94), facilidade de retorno (0,92), ergonomia (0,94), estética (0,96), marcas especiais (0,93), recursos audiovisuais (0,85), referências (0,93), interatividade (0,82), gestão de erros (0,85), ajuda aos usuários (0,81), qualidade das informações (0,96) e portabilidade (0,97). Embora os comentários dos especialistas expressassem satisfação com a organização e apresentação do curso online, houve sugestões para incluir um maior número de artigos para leitura complementar em língua portuguesa, uma maior diversidade de recursos audiovisuais e um fórum de dúvidas para melhorar a interação do aluno com o curso. Estas sugestões foram acatadas. Conclusão: O PAD-Neo foi considerado válido do ponto de vista de aparência e de conteúdo por especialistas das áreas de dor neonatal, neonatologia e EAD. O curso online pode ser compreendido como uma proposta educacional inovadora e válida para o aprendizado sobre avaliação da dor neonatal. Estudos futuros são necessários para que se realize a avaliação do curso online a partir da perspectiva de usuários. / Introduction: Recently published literature demonstrates that healthcare professionals recognize the occurrence of neonatal pain, however, pain assessment continues to be performed empirically and in a not systematized way. Health care professionals recognize the need for training courses related to neonatal pain assessment. Distance education is an alternative for asynchronous and organized spaces to disseminate knowledge and it presents benefits. The Neonatal Pain Assessment Program (PAD-Neo) was created to enhance students and healthcare professionals knowledge on this topic. PAD-Neo is hosted by Modular Object-Oriented Dyna- mic Learning Environment (Moodle), a free platform, and consists of 10 modules which contents include definitions and basic concepts on physiology of pain, neonatal pain indicators, principles of neonatal pain assessment and measurement, and training on five specific and validated neonatal pain assessment scales. Modules are composed of video lessons, videos, images, complementary reading texts, discussion forums, exercises, amongst other resources. Objetctive: To evaluate the quality of the PAD-Neo from the perspective of experts. Methods: This is an exploratory descriptive study. Eight specialists on neonatal pain, eight specialists in neonatal care and eight specialists in distance education who met the eligibility criteria were invited to evaluate the PAD-Neo. An invitation letter was sent electronically and the course evaluation was performed by using a form composed by 20 questions related to appearance and content of the course. For each of the 20 items evaluated, scores ranged from 0 to 1, and average values minor than 0.70 were deem to be modified. Results: The 24 participants in this study are female, with a mean age of 43 years old. 18 (75%) specialists have a baccalaureate degree in nursing, four (16.7%) in psychology, one (4.2%) in physiotherapy and one (4.2%) in instructional design. Most of the experts have a doctorate degree (62.5%) and are university professors (41.6%). Regarding to specialists answers, all the items averages were higher than 0.70, as it follows: free navigation (average 0.92), clarity of information (0.97), ease of information location (0.89), content relevance (0.96), contextualization (0.94), content correction (0.98), multiple windows (0.97), ease of learning interaction (0.96), efficiency of usability (0.94), ease of return (0.92) , ergonomics (0.94), aesthetics (0.96), special marks (0.93), audiovisual resources (0.85), references (0.93), interactivity (0.82), bug fixes (0.85), help resource (0.81), quality of information (0.96) and portability (0.97). Although experts comments expressed satisfaction with the online course organization and presentation, suggestions were made regarding the inclusion of complementary reading resources in Portuguese, increasing the diversity of audiovisual resources, and an enquiry forum in order to improve student\'s interaction. These suggestions were accepted. Conclusion: Appearance and content of the PAD-Neo was considered as validated by experts in the fields of neonatal pain, neonatal care and distance education. The online course can be considered as an innovative and validated educational proposal for neonatal pain assessment learning. Future studies are needed to evaluate the course from the perspective of the users.

O contato pele a pele e a administração oral de sacarose têm se mostrado efetivos no alívio da dor em procedimentos únicos. No entanto, há escassez de estudos que avaliam o uso do contato pele a pele em procedimentos repetidos. O objetivo geral deste estudo é comparar a efetividade do contato pele a pele em relação ao uso de sacarose 25% no alívio da dor e conforto neonatal durante duas punções de calcâneo repetidas e sucessivas, nas primeiras horas de vida. Trata-se de ensaio clínico randomizado e controlado com 40 recém-nascidos >= 36 semanas de idade gestacional e 40 mães no grupo pele a pele (3 minutos antes, durante e após a punção de calcâneo) e 40 recém-nascidos no grupo sacarose 25% (administrada 2 minutos antes da punção), todos internados no alojamento conjunto de um hospital universitário de Ribeirão Preto. Antecedendo a coleta de dados, foi assinado o Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido pelas mães participantes. Os dados foram coletados em 18 fases, divididos em duas punções de calcâneo, com nove fases cada: basal (FB), tratamento (Tto, 3º minuto do contato pele a pele e 2º minuto após a administração da sacarose), antissepsia (Anti), punção de calcâneo até 15 segundos subsequentes (T0), 15 segundos (T15), 30 segundos (T30), 60 segundos (T60), 120 segundos (T120) e 180 segundos (T180) após a punção de calcâneo. Mensuraram-se as variáveis: mímica facial, estado de sono e vigília, choro (duração e qualidade), autorregulação/autoconforto do recém-nascido e ações de conforto oferecidas pela mãe ao filho recém-nascido. Os dados foram tratados de forma descritiva, comparando-se a evolução das medidas ao longo do tempo, nos grupos de tratamento (teste Freedman), e entregrupos, em cada fase (teste de Mann- Whitney). Não houve diferença significativa (p<0,05) entre os grupos estudados quanto à frequência, duração e porcentagem média da mímica facial nas duas punções de calcâneo. Na segunda punção, o grupo pele a pele permaneceu significativamente mais tempo em sono profundo em cinco fases (Tto 2, p=0,010; T0 2, p= 0,0026; T15 2, p=0,005; T30 2, p=0,018 e T60 2, p=0,012) e o grupo sacarose em alerta ativo em três fases do procedimento (T0 2, p=0,007; T15 2, p=0,007 e T30 2, p=0,035). O choro, na segunda punção de calcâneo, esteve mais presente no grupo pele a pele em todas as fases (Tto 2, p=0,010; Anti 2, p=0,022; T0 2, p=0,004; T15 2, p=0,032; T30 2, p=0,022; T60 2, p=0,022; T120 2, p=0,022 e T180 2, p=0,022), predominando o choro forte a maior parte do tempo em ambos grupos. O grupo sacarose manifestou médias de sugar (frequência, duração e porcentagem média) significativamente maiores que o pele a pele em várias fases da coleta de dados. Acariciar e abraçar foram as ações mais frequentes manifestadas pelas mães. A frequência cardíaca não diferiu entre os grupos, exceto na fase tratamento 2 (p=0,04), sendo maior no grupo sacarose em comparação com o pele a pele. Conclui-se que o contato pele a pele é tão efetivo quanto a administração oral de sacarose 25% no alívio da dor de RN expostos a duas punções de calcâneo repetidas e sucessivas, confirmando a hipótese de estudo / Skin-to-skin contact and the oral administration of sucrose have been effective in alleviating pain in single instance procedures. There is, however, a lack of studies assessing the effect of skin-to-skin contact in repeated procedures. This study\'s general objective was to compare the effectiveness of skin-to-skin contact in comparison with 25% sucrose in alleviating pain and providing comfort to newborns during two repeated and successive heel punctures in the first hours of life. This randomized and controlled clinical trial was conducted with 40 newborns >= 36 weeks of gestational age, and 40 mothers in the skin-to-skin contact group (3 minutes before, during and after the heel puncture) and 40 newborn in the 25% sucrose group all newborn were hospitalized in rooming-in, of a university hospital in Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil The participant mothers signed free and informed consent forms before data collection. Data were collected in 18 phases divided into two heel punctures with nine phases each: (T0), 15 segundos (T15), 30 segundos (T30), 60 segundos baseline, treatment (Tto, the 3rd minute skin-to-skin contact and the 2nd minute after administration of sucrose), antisepsis (Anti), heel puncture until 15 following seconds (T0), 15 seconds (T15), 30 seconds (T30), 60 seconds (T60), 120 seconds (T120) and 180 seconds (T180) after heel puncture. The following variables were measured: facial movements; sleep and wakefulness state; crying (duration and quality); newborn\'s self-regulation; and comfort provided by the mother to the newborn. Data were presented in descriptive form comparing the progression of measures over time in the treatment groups (Freedman test) and between groups in each phase (Mann-Whitney test), duration and average percentage of facial movements for the two heel punctures. In the second puncture, the skin-to-skin group remained a significantly longer time in deep sleep in five phases (Tto 2, p=0.010; T0 2, p= 0.0026; T15 2, p=0.005; T30 2, p=0.018 and T60 2, p=0.012), while the sucrose group remained in active alertness in three phases of the procedure (T0 2, p=0.007; T15 2, p=0.007 and T30 2, p=0.035). In the second puncture, crying was more frequently observed in the skin-to-skin group in all the phases (Tto 2, p=0.010; Anti 2, p=0.022; T0 2, p=0.004; T15 2, p=0.032; T30 2, p=0.022; T60 2, p=0.022; T120 2, p=0.022 and T180 2, p=0.022), while strong crying predominated in most instances in both groups. The sucrose group manifested sugar means (frequency, duration and average percentage) significantly higher than the skin-to-skin group in various phases of data collection. Caressing and hugging were the most frequent actions observed among the mothers. Heart rate did not differ between groups, except for treatment phase 2 (p=0.04), which was higher among the sucrose group in comparison to the skin-to-skin group. The conclusion is that skin-to-skin contact is as effective as orally administering 25% sucrose in alleviating pain in newborns exposed to two repeated and successive heel punctures, confirming the study\'s hypothesis

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1.5 million women are victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) each year, and 324,000 of these women are pregnant (2013). Research on the predictability of certain factors and their relationship to current and historical IPV is limited. In order to better understand IPV as it related to a sample of 1,016 Appalachian pregnant women selected for the Tennessee Interventions for Pregnant Smokers (TIPS), it was important to evaluate various influences that may predict the prevalence of IPV in this population when compared to the State of Tennessee and the U.S. (Aim 1). An evaluation of psychological, sociocultural, and socioeconomic variables as they relate to both current and historical IPV in pregnant women presenting for prenatal care was conducted (Aim 2), and the results from this evaluation were used to model significant IPV influences to determine pregnancy predictors in the study sample when historical and current IPV is present (Aim 3). Percent prevalence of self-reported IPV was higher in the TIPS sample for Carter, Greene, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Washington, and Unicoi counties, when compared to criminal reports for State of Tennessee IPV victimization rates, and the rate per 1,000 IPV victimization rate was also higher in the TIPS sample when compared to the criminal report for the U.S. Self-esteem, social, support, stress, substance abuse, and alcohol were positive as independent effects for predicting IPV via ordinal regression; however, when evaluated via multinomial logical regression with controls for age, race, income, education, marital status, whether or not a pregnancy was planned, and parity, this effect was no longer noted. Unplanned pregnancies and lower education were significant control variables in these evaluations. The lack of support for predictive ability of those selected psychological and sociocultural variables for IPV only underscores the importance of taking into consideration the uniqueness of various populations and across various regions such as Appalachia. The influences of unplanned pregnancy and lower education may be significant predictors if IPV in pregnant women in Appalachia and warrant further research.

Globally, in low and middle-income countries 4 out of every 10 pregnancies is reported to be unintended. Having an unintended pregnancy increases the risk of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality, preterm birth, low birth weight, and decreases rates of breast-feeding. The United States (U.S.) consistently has some of the highest rates of preterm birth, infant and maternal mortality of all high-income countries and 45% of all pregnancies in the U.S. are reported to be unintended. The etiology of these outcomes and their relationship to pregnancy intention are complex and multifactorial, but we know this disproportionately effects women living in poverty both in the U.S. and globally. When couples have the knowledge, access, and power to decide when and whether to become pregnant they are more likely to seek preconception care, thus increasing the likelihood of planned pregnancies leading to improved maternal and child health outcomes. Primary prevention strategies to improve maternal/child health outcomes in the U.S. include sexual and reproductive health considerations such as increasing access to birth control. Globally, strategies include expanding access, as well as focusing on the empowerment of women and improving gender social norms. Focusing on community level norms and individual empowerment can lead to greater reproductive autonomy, which in turn leads to an increase in the uptake of birth control and family planning. This broader consideration of multiple levels of power or autonomy is often lacking in approaches taken in the U.S. More information is needed about the social context and determinants of pregnancy intention in our communities, particularly of women living in poverty. The purposes of this dissertation were to 1) to describe reproductive autonomy and family planning challenges in a population of marginalized Ecuadorian women; 2) develop a conceptual framework of reproductive autonomy from the global literature; 3) to validate a shortened form of an interpersonal violence scale used in a study of low-income pregnant women in Kentucky; and finally 4) to investigate the association between pregnancy intention and individual, interpersonal and community factors of impoverished women living in Kentucky. The qualitative study of women in Ecuador identified barriers and facilitators to family planning in a low-resource community. The major themes that emerged were that women’s autonomy was limited by men, shame was ‘keeping women quiet’, systems failed women, and as women aged they were able to build resilience in spite of these challenges. Many reported reproductive coercion, gender-based violence, and regret. Those who could leave unsupportive partners and found social support were more effective at planning their pregnancies. Evidence supports these themes are relatively common in the global literature, particularly of women living in poverty. The comprehensive review of these findings was used to develop a conceptual framework of reproductive autonomy. The Socio-Ecological Model was used to organize the data based on individual, interpersonal or community level determinants of pregnancy intention and reproductive autonomy. This new conceptual model, called the Power and Reproductive Autonomy (PARA) model, was used as a guide to analyze multiple levels of data in a secondary analysis of pregnant women living in poverty in Kentucky. Prior to this secondary analysis study, a measure used in the parent study needed to be validated. A short form of the Women’s Experience with Battering (WEB) scale was found to be psychometrically valid to measure of the impact of intimate partner violence for this population. Findings from the secondary analysis included high rates of unintended pregnancy (66%), and women with unintended pregnancy were more likely to report exposure to interpersonal violence, poor social support, and anxiety at the bivariate level. At the community (county) level those with an unintended pregnancy were more likely to live in counties with fewer social associations, and in rural communities. None of the access, gender equity, income inequality, or violence variables were correlated to pregnancy intention. In the final multilevel model, controlling for demographic variables, only being unmarried and answering the question in English were significant predictors of unintended pregnancy. The rate of social associations in a county was marginally significant with pregnancy intention, in that the presence of social associations appeared to decrease the likelihood of unintended pregnancy. Operationalizing the PARA framework to examine predictors of unintended pregnancy in Kentucky proved to not yield expected results; county level variables related to access, gender equity, and violence were not found to be significantly correlated. Women answering the question in Spanish had significantly higher rates of planned pregnancy, which is a new finding. Having opportunities for social engagement also seemed to be a protective factor in preventing unintended pregnancies. Limitations of cross-sectional data also make it a challenge to capture cumulative life stressors which could contribute to poor reproductive autonomy. Future studies may yield a greater understanding of the social context of pregnancy intention if more interpersonal data related specifically to reproductive autonomy are in the model, such as reproductive coercion, relationship power, communication, and contraceptive decision making. Additionally, further examination of structures or systems that provide economic opportunities in the community is a promising area of reproductive autonomy and pregnancy intention research.

Cystic Fibrosis, a life threatening autosomal recessive genetic disease, is characterized by a defective gene resulting in the production of thick mucus that obstructs the lungs and pancreas. CF requires intensive management performed at the home. An initial pilot study was performed to describe knowledge of CF related diabetes (CFRD) in adults with CF. The findings of this study, which demonstrated that adults with CF lacked sufficient knowledge about CFRD confirmed the need to explore additional factors of self-management guided by a theoretical framework. The second study presented in this dissertation used the Individual and Family Self-Management Theory (IFSMT) to describe context (condition-specific and individual and family factors) and process (self-efficacy and knowledge) and outcome (family self-management) variables for caregivers of children with CF. It also compared differences in context, process, and outcomes in caregivers based on socioeconomic status (Medicaid vs. private insurance), and explored correlations among context, process, and outcomes. Participants for this cross-sectional descriptive study were caregivers of individuals with CF who were under the age of 18 and diagnosed with CF for at least 9 months. Participants completed a demographic survey and questionnaires that included measures of perceived disease severity (VAS), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire), self-efficacy (Perceived Health Competence Scale, Mountain West Cystic Fibrosis Consortium Questionnaire), knowledge (CF Knowledge and Attitudes Questionnaire), and self management behaviors (Self-Management Behaviors Questionnaire) Additional information was collected on the children with CF and included demographic information as well as height/weight/BMI, pulmonary function test results, medication profile, and insurance status. Participants in this study were primarily female caregivers with high self-efficacy, and average knowledge. The children with CF in this study had moderate treatment complexity and normal/mild impairment in lung function. Deficits were noted in the areas of caregivers’ reproductive and genetic knowledge. This study found differences between Medicaid and private insurance groups related to knowledge. There were significant relationships between disease severity and CF specific self-efficacy and nutritional surveillance as well as general self-efficacy and respiratory surveillance. These findings confirmed that the IFMST would provide a consistent framework to guide future studies aimed at identifying factors that influence self-management behaviors of CF in patients and their caregivers.

Background: The Theory of Cultural Distress offers a framework for understanding the potential outcomes in patients who do not receive care that incorporates their cultural beliefs (DeWilde & Burton, 2017).This study represents initial steps in researching the theory byexploring the layering of stressors that place the patient at risk for Cultural Distress. Methods: Utilized aCross-sectional descriptive correlational analysis of intersecting identities (Structural Stressors), ethnicity-related stressors (Otherness) and ethnic-identity (Otherness) to develop understanding of the potential effects of these variables on psychological stress. Independent variables included intersecting identities, perceived ethnic discrimination, concern for stereotype confirmation, own group conformity pressure, and group membership. The dependent variable was perceived stress. Participants were also asked to define the word culture. Results: Stereotype confirmation concern, perceived ethnic discrimination, group membership, and own group conformity pressure were significantly associated with perceived stress. Intersectionality was not significantly associated with perceived stress but was significantly associated with perceived ethnic discrimination. Regression analysis revealed stereotype confirmation concern, own group conformity pressure, and group membership as significant predictors of perceived stress. Participant definitions of culture primarily fell under two themes, Collectiveness and Individualness, indicating that the way we live is highly influenced by our shared experiences, and also a product of individual choices. Discussion: Results indicated that structural stressors had no influence on psychological stress but were associated with perceptions of discrimination. The experience of otherness significantly influenced psychological stress. Additional research and tool development is needed to better understand how structural stressors may influence psychological stress.

<p>The overall aim of this thesis was to study the implementation of guidelines, change processes and contextual variables from the perspective of improvements and neonatal nursing care’s endeavours to be more evidenced-based. Because health care is exposed to extensive change pressure and because the impact of effectiveness research on clinical practice is limited, it becomes urgent to understand how knowledge utilisation initiatives can be facilitated.</p><p>Three studies involved managers and nurses at all neonatal units in Sweden. Two of these studies also included nurses from other healthcare organisations. The fourth study included all staff at four neonatal units. The study designs used were cross-sectional, comparative and prospective longitudinal surveys; questionnaires were used as data collection tools in all four studies.</p><p>Evaluation of the utilisation of the neonatal nursing guidelines showed that the guidelines were known to the nurse managers and used at most of the units, though to varying degrees and in different ways. Fifteen months after guideline dissemination, 8 of 35 units had changed practice, of which 2 units had completed the implementation process of a guideline. Involvement in the preceding guideline project facilitated the completion of improvement projects compared with participation in training courses for quality improvement (QI) only. There was no difference between these two groups on long-standing involvement in improvement work. Nurses who continued QI work over a 4-year period were more active in seeking research and implementing research findings in clinical practice than those who ceased the improvement work. The QI-sustainable nurses reported better contextual support for research-related activities. In a separate study staff perceptions of organisational factors appeared stable over the course of one year at the aggregated level. Improvements in skills development and participatory management predicted higher overall organisational and staff well-being. </p><p>The findings emphasize the importance of including both individual and organisational factors in the strategic planning for evidence-based nursing. Plans have to be long-term and consider that change is a slow process. Leadership commitment is essential and there are clear benefits in developing a learning and professional supportive environment as well as of involving staff in organisational decision making.</p>

The overall aim of this thesis was to study the implementation of guidelines, change processes and contextual variables from the perspective of improvements and neonatal nursing care’s endeavours to be more evidenced-based. Because health care is exposed to extensive change pressure and because the impact of effectiveness research on clinical practice is limited, it becomes urgent to understand how knowledge utilisation initiatives can be facilitated. Three studies involved managers and nurses at all neonatal units in Sweden. Two of these studies also included nurses from other healthcare organisations. The fourth study included all staff at four neonatal units. The study designs used were cross-sectional, comparative and prospective longitudinal surveys; questionnaires were used as data collection tools in all four studies. Evaluation of the utilisation of the neonatal nursing guidelines showed that the guidelines were known to the nurse managers and used at most of the units, though to varying degrees and in different ways. Fifteen months after guideline dissemination, 8 of 35 units had changed practice, of which 2 units had completed the implementation process of a guideline. Involvement in the preceding guideline project facilitated the completion of improvement projects compared with participation in training courses for quality improvement (QI) only. There was no difference between these two groups on long-standing involvement in improvement work. Nurses who continued QI work over a 4-year period were more active in seeking research and implementing research findings in clinical practice than those who ceased the improvement work. The QI-sustainable nurses reported better contextual support for research-related activities. In a separate study staff perceptions of organisational factors appeared stable over the course of one year at the aggregated level. Improvements in skills development and participatory management predicted higher overall organisational and staff well-being. The findings emphasize the importance of including both individual and organisational factors in the strategic planning for evidence-based nursing. Plans have to be long-term and consider that change is a slow process. Leadership commitment is essential and there are clear benefits in developing a learning and professional supportive environment as well as of involving staff in organisational decision making.

The United States is ranked 27th in the world for maternal mortality, yet spends twice as much on maternity care services as countries with better maternal health indicators. Stuck in a technocratic and physician-dominated maternity care system, the U.S. depends on expensive technologies to control birth out of fear of pain and litigation, costing Americans billions of dollars and depriving women of the opportunity to have a transformative birth experience. Through an analysis of the medicalization of birth and the current biomedical model in birth, in conjunction with open-ended interviews with 5 hospital midwives and 3 homebirth midwives, the benefits and challenges of incorporating a midwifery model of care into our maternity services are explored. The midwifery model emphasizes that birth is not pathology and that psychosocial factors play a large role in birth outcomes. Basing their practice on collaboration, education, and support, midwives empower women, avoid unnecessary interventions, and offer a lower cost and higher quality care alternative. The current monopoly of women’s health services by physicians is unsustainable. Incorporating midwives into the maternity care team could provide a sustainable alternative with the caliber of maternity care services that U.S. women and families deserve.

Oro och ovisshet påverkar både föräldrar och syskon när ett barn föds för tidigt. Inom neonatalvården idag används ofta familjecentrerad vård som omvårdnadsmodell. Ett mål med familjecentrerad vård är att fokusera på familjen som en enhet. I verkligheten är det dock ofta så att syskonen glöms bort. Syftet med denna studie var att beskriva syskons upplevelse av att få ett prematurfött syskon. Metoden som användes var litteraturstudie, där resultatet baseras på åtta artiklar. Fyra kategorier framkom: Ambivalenta känslor och förändrat beteende, Avsaknad av förälder, Förändrade roller samt Behov av bearbetning och stöd. I resultatet framkom att syskon, i samband med att de får ett för tidigt fött syskon, får en känslomässig reaktion, många gånger kopplat till ett förändrat beteende som kan vara både positivt och negativt. Syskonen tar ofta själva på sig nya roller och ansvar som kan gå utöver vad man kan förvänta sig. De upplever ofta att de saknar sina föräldrar, då dessa är upptagna av oro och stress samt många sjukhusbesök. Stöd till syskon har gett gott resultat på deras psykosociala beteende. Det finns få artiklar publicerade om syskon till prematurfödda barn och vidare forskning behövs både ur syskonens och familjens perspektiv, men även ur omvårdnadspersonalens synvinkel. / Worry and uncertainty have an impact on both parents and siblings when a child is born prematurely. Family-centered care is often used as a nursing model, within the neonatal care setting. One focus of Family Centered Care is to consider the whole family unit. In reality, however, siblings are often forgotten. The purpose of this study was to describe the siblings’ experience of having a premature baby brother or sister. The method used was a literature study, where the result was based on eight articles. Four categories emerged: Ambivalent feelings and altered behavior, Absence of parents, Altered roles and Need for processing and support. The result showed that when a premature baby is born, the sibling has an emotional reaction, often linked to a positive or negative change in behavior. The siblings often take on new roles and responsibilities that exceed what could be expected for their age. Siblings often feel they miss their parents, as they are occupied with worry and stress as well as frequent hospital visits. Support for siblings has shown positive outcomes on their psychosocial behavior. There is little research undertaken about siblings of premature children and further research is needed both from the perspective of the siblings and the family as well as from the perspective of the nursing staff.