Charles Darwin University

CDU eSpace
Institutional Repository

 
CDU Staff and Student only
 

Maternity care in the bush: using the Internet to provide educational resources to isolated practitioners

Kildea, Sue V., Barclay, Lesley M. and Brodie, Pat (2006). Maternity care in the bush: using the Internet to provide educational resources to isolated practitioners. Rural and Remote Health,6(3):Article No. 559.

Document type: Journal Article
Citation counts: Google Scholar Search Google Scholar
Attached Files (Some files may be inaccessible until you login with your CDU eSpace credentials)
Name Description MIMEType Size Downloads
Download this reading Kildea_2136.pdf Published version application/pdf 619.56KB 87
Reading the attached file works best in Firefox, Chrome and IE 9 or later.

Title Maternity care in the bush: using the Internet to provide educational resources to isolated practitioners
Author Kildea, Sue V.
Barclay, Lesley M.
Brodie, Pat
Journal Name Rural and Remote Health
Publication Date 2006
Volume Number 6
Issue Number 3
ISSN 1445-6354   (check CDU catalogue open catalogue search in new window)
Start Page Article No. 559
Total Pages 12
Place of Publication Australia
Publisher Australian Rural Health Education Network
Field of Research 1117 - Public Health and Health Services
1303 - Specialist Studies in Education
HERDC Category C1 - Journal Article (DEST)
Abstract INTRODUCTION: Telecommunication infrastructure is being rolled out across Australia with little knowledge about the uptake by health professionals in remote areas. Computer mediated communication has the potential to offer educational support to remote practitioners; however, the viability of this is uncertain. The aim of this research was to establish and evaluate an internet-based resource library targeting the needs of remote area maternity service providers.

METHODS: A participatory action research (PAR) approach was used to involve remote area maternity service providers in the Northern Territory of Australia. The evaluation of the resource library included its performance on reach, agency affiliation and richness, factors identified to affect the sustainability and utility of such a resource. An additional component of the evaluation framework documented the facilitators of and barriers to using an information technology strategy to reduce the isolation of remote area maternity service providers.

RESULTS: Overall, the evaluation of the resource library was very positive. Feedback from the PAR team described the resource as contemporary, useful and relevant. Practitioners in leadership and education positions identified the resource library as a valuable tool that enabled them to access professional knowledge, which could then be distributed to any remote-based practitioners, who experienced difficulties with access themselves. The evaluation found that logistical issues were a major problem for potential users. Hardware inadequacies, access difficulties, unfamiliarity with computers, and a lack of management support for nursing and midwifery staff to utilise the resource, were all identified barriers. Remote-area practitioners highlighted education, training and 24 hour support as key priorities.

CONCLUSIONS: Results from this research clearly showed the potential of web-based resources to offer educational support through access to clinical guidelines, reports and research, thus reducing the isolation of the remote practitioner. However, it highlighted the need for clear strategic direction at policy level, whereby all stakeholders unite to synchronise the rollout of information technology infrastructure with the necessary education, training and support as an integral component.
Keywords computer mediated communication
education
information technology
internet
maternity
support
Australia
Description for Link Link to published version
URL http://www.rrh.org.au/articles/showarticlenew.asp?ArticleID=559


© copyright

Every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that permission has been obtained for items included in CDU eSpace. If you believe that your rights have been infringed by this repository, please contact digitisation@cdu.edu.au.

 
Versions
Version Filter Type
Access Statistics: 140 Abstract Views, 88 File Downloads  -  Detailed Statistics
Created: Fri, 12 Sep 2008, 08:35:25 CST by Administrator