Clinical Leadership on the Labour Ward; a critical ethnography

Description

A presentation to share to examine the importance of the development of social capital and power by the clinical leaders and its impact upon them within labour ward.
The clinical leaders on labour ward were mainly perceived to be the co-ordinators/shift leaders (LWC). A strategy employed as a means of facilitating safety and productivity in a busy, high risk, fearful environment was the development of social capital. The coordinators perceived to be 'good' were caring, motivational and valued others. However, clinical expertise and control were key; 'scariness', if combined with clinical expertise that kept others safe , was also an acceptable quality in the clinical leader.
Contradictory characteristics were required of the LWC and combined with a lack of support led to both emotional and physical stress.
Application - the development of social capital facilitates productivity and enhances perceptions of safety on labour wards. However, without the prerequisite clinical competence and control, the possession of these qualities alone may be insufficient. Enhancing the support for the LWCs on labour ward has the potential to reduce the emotional and physical stress they experienced.

Period	19 Jun 2017 - 22 Jun 2017
Held at	31st International Confederation of Midwives Triennial Congress
Event type	Conference
Conference number	31
Location	Toronto, Canada, Ontario
Degree of Recognition	International