Effect of a maternity consumer representative training program on participants’ confidence and engagement
Bec M. Jenkinson A E , Joanne Smethurst B , Rhonda Boorman C and Debra K. Creedy C DA Queensland Centre for Mothers and Babies, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia.
B Maternity Coalition, c/o Queensland Centre for Mothers and Babies, University of Queensland, St Lucia Qld 4072, Australia. Email: josmethurst@yahoo.com.au
C School of Psychology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia. Email: r.boorman@uq.edu.au
D Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Logan Campus, University Drive, Meadowbrook, Qld 4131, Australia. Email: d.creedy@griffith.edu.au
E Corresponding author. Email: r.jenkinson@uq.edu.au
Australian Health Review 38(3) 306-311 https://doi.org/10.1071/AH13183
Submitted: 25 September 2013 Accepted: 27 January 2014 Published: 8 May 2014
Abstract
Objective This paper describes the effects of a maternity consumer representative training program on participants’ confidence to fulfil this role and engagement in representative activities.
Methods The present study was a descriptive, pre–post evaluation design with a 3-month follow-up. Fifty-eight people completed the program and 55 agreed to participate in the evaluation. Participants completed questionnaires to assess confidence to undertake consumer representative roles and reported on their engagement with consumer activities.
Results Participants’ perceived confidence to function in the role of consumer representative differed significantly before and after the workshop (F(2,18) = 7.057, P < 0.001), as did confidence in decision making (F(2,16) = 7.615, P = 0.005), confidence in negotiating outcomes and liaising with key people (F(2,18) = 7.154, P = 0.005), and confidence in making use of relevant networks (F(2,18) = 4.319, P = 0.029). There was a decline in confidence at 3 months, with confidence at this time no longer significantly different from that at the time of recruitment. Engagement with consumer organisations increased by 45% compared with rates at commencement of the project.
Conclusions The program enhanced participants’ confidence to fulfil a maternity consumer representative role but was not sustained. Further research is needed as to how to best support maternity consumer representatives and assess their contribution to promoting woman-centred care.
What is known about the topic? Engaging consumers in the development of health policy, planning, service delivery and review can improve services and health outcomes. There is a serious lack of consumers confident to undertake representative roles. There is a paucity of evidence about the best ways to engage and build capacity among prospective consumer representatives.
What does this paper add? A training program was developed and implemented for prospective consumer representatives in maternity services. Participants reported enhanced confidence to undertake a consumer representative role, but this was not sustained at the 3-month follow-up. The program improved engagement with consumer representative activities.
What are the implications for practitioners? Training and support are essential for effective maternity consumer representation. Programs could involve generic consumer training with additional training offered for specific health services, such as maternity, aged care or mental health. Further attention needs to be given to supporting consumer organisations and consumer representatives in rural and remote areas. There is a significant need for health service committee members to be supported to work effectively with their consumer representatives.
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