Vol. 7 No. 2 (2018), Articles
Vol. 7 No. 2 (2018)

Assessment of modes of thinking among midwives employed in selected hospitals in Masovian, Podlasie, Warmian-Masurian and Lublin Voivodeships

Articles
Published 2018-06-30
Olga Szpanka
Wydział Nauki o Zdrowiu, Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny, Szpital Powiatowy Gajda-Med w Pułtusku
Joanna Gotlib
Zakład Dydaktyki i Efektów Kształcenia, Wydział Nauki o Zdrowiu, Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny
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Keywords

social competence
communication competence
midwives
modes of thinking

How to Cite

Assessment of modes of thinking among midwives employed in selected hospitals in Masovian, Podlasie, Warmian-Masurian and Lublin Voivodeships. (2018). Modern Nursing and Public Health, 7(2), 35-40. https://journals.ieditore.com/index.php/MNHC/article/view/1155
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Abstract

Background. Responsibility, commitment, and enhanced resistance to stress are necessary for practising a medical profession. Midwives assist both birthing and dying processes. Their reactions vary. An attitude towards work and behaviour at workplace differ by age and job tenure, but mainly by modes of thinking and views represented by midwives. It is hard to find any data on modes of thinking of health professionals in the literature. However, the issue is important for co-workers and parents, hence this is a novel study. Objectives. The study aimed to assess modes of thinking among midwives employed in selected hospitals in Masovian, Podlasie, Warmian- Masurian and Lublin Voivodeships. Material. The study involved a total of 153 midwives (women: 100%) working in six healthcare entities in Central and Eastern Poland. Mean age: 46.84 years (SD: 12.44; min: 24 years; max: 61 years; median: 50; mode: 52). Most study participants (n = 92, 60%) had secondary medical education, 20% (32 persons) had completed first-cycle programmes, and 19% (n = 30) – second-cycle programmes. Mean job tenure amounted to 24.56 years (SD: 10.16 years; min: 0.5 years; max: 39 years; median: 27; mode: 28). A vast majority of the study participants worked full-time (n = 150, 98%). A questionnaire return rate was 74% (153/204). Methods. A voluntary and anonymous questionnaire study was conducted among midwives employed in six healthcare entities in Central and Eastern Poland. The Rational Experiential Inventory (REI-40) was used in the study. The questionnaire was personally handed out to study participants by the present author. Results. Midwives participating in the study had medium levels of rationality and rational engagement. The two dimensions mean that study participants not only had a medium level of rational and analytical thinking, but they also did not exceed the average when it comes to using this thinking style at work. Similar results were found with reference to the experientiality and experiential engagement. Midwives participating in the study were assessed in terms of two modes of thinking: analytical-rational (NFC) and intuitive-experiential (FI). The respondents had a medium level of both modes of thinking concerned. None of the styles were observed to be dominant among the study group. It was demonstrated that approximately 30% of respondents scored high on analytical-rational thinking and about 33% of all scored high on intuitive-experiential thinking. The analysis showed that approximately 39% of midwives participating in the study scored high on analyticalrational thinking (NFC) and intuitive-experiential thinking (FI). Correlation analyses found a significant link between the level of analyticalrational thinking (NFC) and the level of intuitive-experiential thinking (FI). Conclusions. Midwives participating in the study had medium levels of both rational-analytical thinking (NFC) and intuitive-experiential thinking (FI). This may suggest that, depending on their present situation, midwives may choose the style that is more effective that provides them with increased adaptability in their practice. However, further research is needed for verification of the findings.
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