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Tuesday, November 3, 2009: 10:35 AM
Learning Objective 1: The learner will describe the importance of relational practice with addicted mothers.
Learning Objective 2: The learner will deescribe the contructs of the Caring-Relational framework and its utility with vulnerable populations
Uncomfortable relationships with health care professionals on the part of pregnant women who experience addiction make them four times less likely to receive adequate preventive and ongoing health care. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions and experiences that mothers experiencing addiction have had with health professionals before, during and immediately following the birth of their infants. Expanding knowledge about the experiences of these mothers provides impetus in two related domains: 1) to create professional health care curriculum that addresses the unique needs of this population of mothers, and 2) to create health care programming that serves this population more effectively, efficiently and improves overall health and mental health outcomes for women and infants. Utilizing the Caring Relational Model as a guiding framework, this study employs mixed methods complete with a demographic data survey with a purposive sample of addicted mothers who have experienced childbirth. There is a paucity of quantitative research addressing how health care professionals’ attitudes and behaviors may influence aspects of caring practice. There is even less qualitative data solicited from the patient’s standpoint. Data gained from this study will serve as an impetus to guide health professionals in reducing this health disparity.