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Turville N, Alamad L, Denton J, et al. Supporting multiple birth families: Perceptions and experiences of health visitors. Public Health Nurs. 2021;doi: 10.1111/phn.13008.
Turville, N., Alamad, L., Denton, J., Cook, R., & Harvey, M. (2021). Supporting multiple birth families: Perceptions and experiences of health visitors. Public health nursing (Boston, Mass.), . https://doi.org/10.1111/phn.13008
Turville, Nathalie, et al. "Supporting multiple birth families: Perceptions and experiences of health visitors." Public health nursing (Boston, Mass.) vol. (2021). doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/phn.13008
Turville N, Alamad L, Denton J, Cook R, Harvey M. Supporting multiple birth families: Perceptions and experiences of health visitors. Public Health Nurs. 2021 Nov 10; doi: 10.1111/phn.13008. Epub 2021 Nov 10. PMID: 34761411.
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Public Health Nurs. 2021 Nov 10; doi: 10.1111/phn.13008. Epub 2021 Nov 10.

Supporting multiple birth families: Perceptions and experiences of health visitors.

Public health nursing (Boston, Mass.)

Nathalie Turville, Lara Alamad, Jane Denton, Robert Cook, Merryl Harvey

Affiliations

  1. Elizabeth Bryan Multiple Births Centre, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK.
  2. Children & Young People's Nursing, Coventry University, Coventry, UK.
  3. Multiple Births Foundation / Co-lead Elizabeth Bryan Multiple Births Centre, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK.
  4. Medical Statistics, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK.
  5. Nursing and Family Health, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK.

PMID: 34761411 DOI: 10.1111/phn.13008

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To explore the current practice and perceptions of health visitors in supporting multiple birth families.

DESIGN AND SAMPLE: Practicing health visitors across the United Kingdom were invited to complete a cross-sectional, descriptive, online survey. The questionnaire covered multiple birth caseload, education received about multiples and the experience of working with families. Two-hundred and ninety health visitors completed the questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analysis of the quantitative components and thematic analysis for the qualitative data.

RESULTS: Most health visitors had twins on their current workload. Most health visitors had not received any specific training or continuing professional development regarding the needs of multiple birth families. Supporting the families within the confines of reduced time and increased workload was challenging. Daily tasks of caring for multiples were the main areas that health visitors and parents wanted more information about.

CONCLUSIONS: In the United Kingdom, health visitors are uniquely positioned to support multiple birth families, in particular during the more challenging early years. However, the findings of this study suggest that many health visitors are aware that the care and support that they are able to provide multiple birth families falls short of meeting their needs.

© 2021 The Authors. Public Health Nursing published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Keywords: families; health visiting; multiple births; parents; public health nursing; triplets; twins

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