UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
Hazard, Linda A.
Dept./Program:
College of Education and Social Services
Year:
2014
Degree:
Ed. D.
Abstract:
In 2000 the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing Screening recommended hearing screening for all infants born in the United States and its territories. The committee endorsed that all infants receive a screen by one month after birth; any hearing loss be identified by three months and any intervention commence by six months of age. Congenital or acquired hearing loss in infants and young children (Allen & Bower, 2009) has been linked with lifelong deficits in speech and language acquisition, poor academic performance, and personal, emotionsl and social issues. Researchers in the field of pediatric audiology have recognized that these adverse consequences can be can prevented or reduced by identification of hearing loss through neonatal hearing screening, regular surveillance of developmental milestones, development of auditory skills, parental concerns, evaluation of middle ear status and objective hearing screening of all infants and children at critical developmenal stages (Yoshinaga-Itano, Coulter, Thompson, 2002; Yoshinaga-Itano, Sedey, Coulter, Mehl, 1998; Harlor & Bower, 2009).
Two percent of the infants born in the state of Vermont are planned homebirths. Between 2008 and 2010 less than 10% of infants born at home received a hearing screening as compared to over 98% of hospital born infants. As part of a Health Resources and Services Administration grant awarded in September of 2010, the Vermont Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program (VTEHDI) initiated a pilot project to collaborative with homebirth midwives in the hearing screening of infants born under their care.
This qualitative research study recruited seven licensed midwives in Vermont and used narrative inquiry to focus on midwives perceptions of partnering with a public health model of care for newborn hearing screening in the homebirth population. To have a cross section of Vermont Licensed Midwives represented, midwives were recruited based on regions of the state, time in the profession, varying ages and number of births attended per year. The goals of the research plan were addressed through the use of individual interviews, observations of midwives screening infants and focus forums. Cross-case analysis techniques were used to analyze these data and three themes were identified: 1) fostering a holistic model, 2) promoting infgrmed choice, and 3) fostering collaboration. Other analytical approaches were infused that included poetic transcription, visual representation and scholarly personal narrative (SPN).
The findings highlight the importance offostering collaboration, inclusion, mentoring, education and training between midwives and medical models of care such as VTEHDI. In particular the study findings illuminate the role of informed choice for families, the role hearing screening plays as part of a holistic model and the role mutual respect plays with midwives as partners. By exploring midwives' perceptions, this study offers insight to professionals about the experiences of midwives and their multifaceted role with homebirth families and a public health program.
Two percent of the infants born in the state of Vermont are planned homebirths. Between 2008 and 2010 less than 10% of infants born at home received a hearing screening as compared to over 98% of hospital born infants. As part of a Health Resources and Services Administration grant awarded in September of 2010, the Vermont Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program (VTEHDI) initiated a pilot project to collaborative with homebirth midwives in the hearing screening of infants born under their care.
This qualitative research study recruited seven licensed midwives in Vermont and used narrative inquiry to focus on midwives perceptions of partnering with a public health model of care for newborn hearing screening in the homebirth population. To have a cross section of Vermont Licensed Midwives represented, midwives were recruited based on regions of the state, time in the profession, varying ages and number of births attended per year. The goals of the research plan were addressed through the use of individual interviews, observations of midwives screening infants and focus forums. Cross-case analysis techniques were used to analyze these data and three themes were identified: 1) fostering a holistic model, 2) promoting infgrmed choice, and 3) fostering collaboration. Other analytical approaches were infused that included poetic transcription, visual representation and scholarly personal narrative (SPN).
The findings highlight the importance offostering collaboration, inclusion, mentoring, education and training between midwives and medical models of care such as VTEHDI. In particular the study findings illuminate the role of informed choice for families, the role hearing screening plays as part of a holistic model and the role mutual respect plays with midwives as partners. By exploring midwives' perceptions, this study offers insight to professionals about the experiences of midwives and their multifaceted role with homebirth families and a public health program.