Cross-Cultural Workers in maternity care in South-Eastern Sydney Local Health District: staff surveys and interviews 


Background

Pregnancy is a time of heightened risk for migrant and refugee women in Australia, with poorer perinatal outcomes arising from issues including access to services and health service inequities. This study evaluates a Cross-Cultural Workers (CCW) service that was implemented in local maternity care services to improve migrant and refugee women’s and children’s health. This study aimed to explore the experience of healthcare professionals (HCPs) with referral to, and use of, CCW in maternity care, to identify areas of strength and possible improvement..

Methods

Within a service evaluation framework, a mixed-methods study using surveys and interviews 12-24months after implementation of the CCW model was conducted. HCPs, including nurses, midwives, and medical practitioners were surveyed regarding their satisfaction with the CCW model and suggestions for improvement. Semi-structured interviews with the CCWs and HCPs were then performed to receive feedback on the CCW model and recommendations for improvement. Survey data was analysed descriptively, and interview data was analysed inductively.

Results

69 surveys and 19 interviews were completed. Strengths of the service were the perceived improved care for women, and ability of the CCWs to act as a ‘bridge’ to health. A limitation of the service was the part-time hours of CCWs, reducing their ability to perform the role and fully implement the model. The major suggestion for improvement was increased CCW hours.

Conclusions

The CCW Service was highly regarded by the HCPs, with staff evaluating it to be of crucial importance in providing pregnancy care for migrant and refugee women.

Affiliations

School of Women’s and Children’s Health, UNSW Medicine, Sydney, Australia
Lily Hogan

Child, Youth and Family Services, South-Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Australia
Helen Rogers

Faculty of Health, University of Technology, Sydney,Australia
Dominiek Coates

Maridulu Budyari Gumal (SPHERE), Sydney, Australia
Amanda Henry

Women’s and Children’s Health, St George Hospital,Sydney, Australia
Lily Hogan

The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, Australia
Helen Rogers