Experienced job autonomy among maternity care professionals in The Netherlands

Hilde Perdok, Doug Cronie, Cecile van der Speld, Jeroen van Dillen, Ank de Jonge, Marlies Rijnders, Irene de Graaf, François G. Schellevis, Corine J. Verhoeven

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective High levels of experienced job autonomy are found to be beneficial for healthcare professionals and for the relationship with their patients. The aim of this study was to assess how maternity care professionals in the Netherlands perceive their job autonomy in the Dutch maternity care system and whether they expect a new system of integrated maternity care to affect their experienced job autonomy. Design A cross-sectional survey. The Leiden Quality of Work Life Questionnaire was used to assess experienced job autonomy among maternity care professionals. Setting Data were collected in the Netherlands in 2015. Participants 799 professionals participated of whom 362 were primary care midwives, 240 obstetricians, 93 clinical midwives and 104 obstetric nurses. Findings The mean score for experienced job autonomy was highest for primary care midwives, followed by obstetricians, clinical midwives and obstetric nurses. Primary care midwives scored highest in expecting to lose their job autonomy in an integrated care system. Key conclusions There are significant differences in experienced job autonomy between maternity care professionals. Implications for practice When changing the maternity care system it will be a challenge to maintain a high level of experienced job autonomy for professionals. A decrease in job autonomy could lead to a reduction in job related wellbeing and in satisfaction with care among pregnant women.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)67-72
Number of pages6
JournalMidwifery
Volume54
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2017

Keywords

  • Integrated care
  • Job autonomy
  • Maternity care professional
  • Midwifery
  • Obstetrics

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