A postpartum-newborn education model

Includes bibliographical references (pages 193-197)Childbirth and lifestyles have undergone major changes during the last decade. These changes have resulted in a compelling need for support and factual information for the significant population of women who give birth to normal, healthy newborns and experience uncomplicated childbirth. Obstetric nurses are striving to fulfill the postpartum mothers' learning needs by developing effective patient education programs and improving existing in-hospital education activities. Greater emphasis is also being placed on preparing nurses for their expanded educator role through the development of formal in-service programs and teaching resource guides. The major purpose of this project was to design a postpartum-newborn education model for staff nurses actively involved in teaching and counseling postpartum mothers and their families. Specific methodological steps were carried out to achieve project goals. Initially, a planning committee composed of obstetric nursing and supervisory staff members was established. A needs assessment of both patients and staff was conducted to determine specific education needs and interests of those involved in patient teaching as well as the population being served. Data obtained through the literature review and needs assessment were instrumental in designing the postpartum- newborn education model. The model, consisting of six individual teaching modules was validated by professionals in the fields of maternal-child health and patient education. Besides standardizing the information disseminated to postpartum mothers, the teaching modules further provided the nursing staff with a reference guide to be used during their teaching and counseling activities