Nurse and midwife researcher collaboration in eastern sub‐Saharan Africa: a social network analysis

Abstract

Aim To investigate the collaborative networks among expert clinical nurse and midwifery researchers in eastern and southern Africa. Methods Thirty‐eight clinical nurse and midwifery researchers completed an online survey to analyse collaboration between respondents. Data were analysed using social network analysis, generating a network map and associated measurements. Results Regional collaboration was poor. Those links that did exist centred on geographic proximity and participation in regional and international organizations. Conclusion These results help us to understand better ways to strengthen and support nursing and midwifery clinical research in eastern and southern Africa. Implications for nursing policy Clinical nursing and midwifery research capacity building efforts should focus on supporting collaboration networks among individuals and institutions in the region.

Comparing workplace violence among nurses and other professionals using online articles: A social network analysis

“…As social network analysis is capable of assessing large amounts of data and offering macroscopic perspectives, it holds great promise for discovering social perspectives of workplace violence in nursing (Benton et al, 2015; Choi & Kweon, 2014; Kim & Moon, 2019; Tokac & Razon, 2021). In nursing research, various studies using social network analysis, such as systematic reviews of social network analysis (Benton et al, 2015; Kim & Moon, 2019), and clinical collaboration network analysis (Cato et al, 2019), have been published. In the future, it is anticipated that dynamic social network analysis will be frequently applied in nursing research.…”

Continuing Professional Development status in the World Health Organisation, Afro-region member states

“…Despite the lesser evidence of mandatory CPD among the Afro-region member states (n=16, 34.7%) ( Table 1 , Table 2 ), organisations such as The ARC and the Office of Global Initiatives (Dohrn et al, 2016) have been involved in improving the relevance of the workforce in some WHO Afro-region member states ( Cato et al, 2019 , Kelley et al, 2017 ). Through partnerships, ARC has recognised the opportunity and actively promoted regulatory reform in 17 countries across East, Central, and Southern Africa ( Kelley et al, 2017 ).…”

“…CPD activity is concentrated in the Anglophone countries with evidence of a large number of neglected countries ( Table 1 ). This deficit lies amidst the current ethos of continuous professional improvement ( Cato et al, 2019 ; Feldacker et al, 2017b; Ingwu et al, 2019 ; Kelley et al, 2018).…”

Social network analysis: Understanding nurses’ advice‐seeking interactions

“…However, social network analysis has been rarely used in a few studies in nursing (Pow et al, 2012). Cato et al (2019), for instance, studied cooperation networks between expert clinical nurses and midwives in East and South Africa with social network analysis. Shafiei et al (2018) analyzed relations among nurses in a hospital in Iran, and Son et al (2018) documented research topics and trends regarding communication in intensive care nursing with social network analysis.…”

“…Cato et al. (2019), for instance, studied cooperation networks between expert clinical nurses and midwives in East and South Africa with social network analysis. Shafiei et al.…”