Objective: To evaluate a community model of care for first time mothers in terms of the following outcomes: provision of timely information, facilitation of social support networks and addressing individual needs through appropriate use of resources.

Design: Quasi-experimental design using telephone interviews at 3, 6 and 12 months following entry into the service.

Population, Sample and Setting: First time mothers with no risk factors and a well and thriving baby were invited to participate. The setting was community child health centres in metropolitan Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. A total of 152 women were recruited, 94 into the intervention group and 58 to the control group.

Intervention: The new model of care incorporated timely presentation of information in a small group format, infant screening and surveillance in line with national recommendations, a drop in and self weigh service and individual consultation when required. Standard care involved a series (6) of group information sessions and individual consultation.

Findings: No significant differences were found between control and intervention groups in relation to information needs or the development of social support networks. However, intervention group participants were less likely to access individual consultations than the control group (p=0.009).

Conclusions: The new model is as effective as standard care, with women in the intervention group needing fewer individual consultations. This demonstrates an effective use of health resources without a reduction in the quality of service provided.

Back to Children and Families
Back to 15th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
July 22-24, 2004