2012 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

A study of work life balance for a midwife keep working

Research Project

Project/Area Number	22792242
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
Allocation Type	Single-year Grants
Research Field	Lifelong developmental nursing
Research Institution	St. Luke's College of Nursing
Principal Investigator	OSUMI Kaoru 聖路加看護大学, 看護学部, 助教 (70407625)
Project Period (FY)	2010 – 2012
Keywords	助産師 / ワーク・ライフ・バランス / 多様性
Research Abstract	An environment in which midwives must work overtime and during the night, as well as the ease in which they can take care of sick children, are all factors that influence whether a midwife works full time or part time. Actually, for midwives who work in a hospital ward or birthing room, when comparing conditions to midwives who teach pre -natal classes orwork in outpatient unit for breast care, it is difficult for such midwives to estimate their working time, as overtime often occurs, and so for midwives with small children and no help it is difficult for them to continue in their jobs. Though it depends on their work and home situations, for midwives who have been working a long time, currently they use late night day care, sick child care, and family support services, etc. Using these services requires effort and places a considerable burden on the midwives. A workplace in which a midwife can work a long time needs to provide a comfortable work environment. As a result, a midwife who works longer will also gave a good effect on the patients.