Public Health Nurses and Mothers Challenge and Shift the Meaning of Health Outcomes

Abstract

Maternal, child, and newborn health is a priority area in Canada and around the world. The work of public health nurses (PHNs) is often invisible and misunderstood. The purpose of this qualitative research project was to explore how universal and targeted home visiting programs for mothers and babies were organized, delivered, and experienced through the everyday practices of PHNs (n = 16) and mothers (n = 16) in Nova Scotia, Canada. Feminist poststructuralism and discourse analysis were used to analyze interviews. Concepts of relations of power enabled an understanding of how health outcomes had been socially and institutionally constructed through binary relations. PHNs and mothers spoke about the importance of “softer” health outcomes, including maternal self-confidence and empowerment that had been constructed as less important than health outcomes that were seen to be more tangible and physical. Findings from this research could be used to guide practice and planning of postpartum home visiting programs.

Mother's level of confidence in caring for her late preterm infant: A mixed methods study

“…Contrary to the belief that mothers' confidence increases when they spend more time with their infants (Shieh et al., ) and receive support from PHNs (Aston et al., ), our data do not corroborate this belief. In our study, maternal confidence decreased between 3–4 weeks–6–8 weeks after delivery, notwithstanding support from PHNs.…”

“…According to Aston et al. (), PHNs can achieve a reciprocal relationship when they use a strength‐based approach that entails reassuring the mothers, using purposeful language, alleviating anxiety and fear, interacting in a nonjudgemental manner while assessing the mothers' perspective and readiness in caring for her infant.…”

Teaching Feminist Poststructuralism: Founding Scholars Still Relevant Today

“…My colleagues and I have used and continue to use FPS in our research studies that span a variety of health issues including postpartum care of mothers, caring for intellectually disabled children and obesity management. The following is a list of articles and dissertations by faculty and students who used FPS (Abudulai, 2014;Aston et al, 2016, Aston et al, 2014a, Aston et al, 2014b, Aston et al, 2014c, Aston et al, 2014d, Aston et al, 2011Bye & Aston, 2016;Cassidy et al, 2016;Griscti, 2015, Griscti et al 2016Kirk et al, 2014;MacConnell et al, 2012;Price et al, 2015;Sheppard-Lemoine, 2015).…”

Trauma informed public health nursing visits to parents and children

“…As maternal/child home visiting programs seek to address the needs of the larger population, threats to fidelity may be encountered if enrollment criteria and goals are not clearly established. It is equally important to align goals of the government stakeholders and funders with those of parents in order to achieve good outcomes (Aston et al, ).…”