Men in Obstetrical Nursing: Perceptions of the Role

McRae, Maureen Jane

doi:10.1097/00005721-200305000-00006

Cited by 14 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…The survey findings support the hypothesis that midwives with exposure to their male counterparts are more gender inclusive, which is consistent with earlier findings regarding men in obstetrical nursing. 10 Many participants reported positive previous experiences working with or precepting male colleagues or students, and these experiences did predict a positive attitude toward inclusivity. The recruitment and retention of qualified male midwives will gradually serve to make the profession more welcoming to these care providers; however, the entry point for intervention lies beyond the men themselves.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In fact, in the only study that assessed pregnant women's perceptions of male obstetric nurses, 68% had positive responses. 10 Future studies are needed to survey patients' experiences with and attitudes toward midwives who are men.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A 2003 cross‐sectional survey sampled 599 male registered nurses (6.8% of whom had worked in maternity), 337 AWHONN members, and 130 pregnant women. Of the AWHONN members, 73% had positive attitudes toward men in this field, and “having worked with men in obstetrical nursing was the strongest predictor of a positive perception of men” in this role . (p 170) Of the AWHONN members who had worked with men in an obstetrics setting, 98.5% agreed that men belong in the specialty.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Survey of Midwives’ Attitudes Toward Men in Midwifery

Bly¹,

Ellis

Ritter³

et al. 2020

J Midwife Womens Health

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Introduction The midwifery profession in the United States demonstrates a significant lack of diversity. The critical need to address the lack of racial and ethnic diversity in the midwifery workforce is well recognized; little attention, however, has been given to gender diversity. This study focused on gender diversity within midwifery, specifically with regard to men who are midwives. Nearly 99% of midwives in the United States are women. No research has previously explored the attitudes of the predominantly female midwifery workforce toward its male members. Methods An invitation to an internet survey was sent to the American College of Nurse‐Midwives (ACNM) membership. Quantitative and open‐ended questions assessed attitudes toward and experiences with male midwives, whether members thought men belong in the profession, whether gender impacts quality of care, if ACNM should facilitate gender diversification, and whether exposure to male midwives impacts attitudes toward gender diversification. Data analysis of qualitative responses used a qualitative description methodology to identify common themes. Results Six thousand, nine hundred sixty‐five surveys were distributed, and 864 participants completed the survey. Respondents reported beliefs that men belong in midwifery (71.4%), that gender does not affect quality of care (74%), and that ACNM should support gender diversity (72%). Respondents’ perspectives revealed 3 dichotomous themes pertaining to the core nature of midwifery and how men fit within the profession: 1) inclusion versus exclusion, 2) empowerment versus protection, and 3) sharing with versus taking from. Often, the same respondent expressed both aspects of the dichotomy simultaneously. Discussion This study contributes new information about midwives’ attitudes and beliefs toward gender diversity in midwifery in the United States. The values of professionalism, tradition, feminism, protection, and diversification inform participant responses. Findings support efforts toward gender diversification and have implications for implementation in education and practice.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Survey of Midwives’ Attitudes Toward Men in Midwifery

Bly¹,

Ellis

Ritter³

et al. 2020

J Midwife Womens Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Brown further asserts that female patients who choose male physicians should be equally open to receiving care from a male nurse. Subsequent authors have pointed out that there is no logic in the fact that obstetricians are traditionally male and yet a strong bias often exists against male obstetric nurses (MacRae, 2003).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Clinical nurse educators were found to be less likely to perceive men in obstetric nursing in a positive light. According to MacRae (2003), male nurses reject obstetrics as a career option due to "lack of interest, lack of comfort level, and societal bias" (p. 171). Morin, Patterson, Kurtz, and Brzowski (1999) specifically studied women's responses to care provided by male nursing students.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%