Associate Professor Allison Cummins
Associate Professor
School of Nursing and Midwifery
- Email:allison.cummins@newcastle.edu.au
- Phone:(02) 434 84220
Pushing towards midwifery continuity of care
Renowned researcher and policy influencer Associate Professor Allison Cummins is on a mission to increase the visibility of midwifery, create better, safer experiences for mothers and midwives, and facilitate industry shift.
The crux of Allison's work to date has been focused on moving away from the traditional maternity care model, where women are seen by multiple midwives, obstetricians and GPs without continuity.
Instead, Allison’s research proposes the scale up of midwifery continuity of care - defined as care provided by a known midwife or small group of midwives to a woman through pregnancy, birth and the early parenting period.
Her passion and interest in this innovative model were born early in her career when she was working as a midwife in this model of care.
"As a midwifery educator, I was supporting the transition of new graduate midwives into midwifery continuity of care," says Allison. “I believed research was needed to demonstrate the safety and benefits."
Her reputation for research in this area has since led to international opportunities attracting funding and invited keynote addresses.
She also has over 50 publications, including peer-reviewed high-ranking journal articles, book chapters and co-edited two books, and she continues to make an outstanding contribution to student learning.
Creating the case for continuity of care
"Midwifery continuity of care is a model that has proven to have many benefits for mothers and babies," says Allison.
This includes a reduction in preterm birth, the leading cause of infant death and disability, a decrease in unnecessary obstetric interventions and an increase in spontaneous birth. Women are also more likely to breastfeed for longer and report being more satisfied with the experience.
However, while the positives are evident, in Australia currently, only around 15 per cent of the 300,000 women who give birth yearly have access to it. Allison's work is contributing to enabling more women to access midwifery continuity of care with all the known benefits.
The continuity model and mental health
Initially, Allison's research was focused on transitioning graduate midwives to staff this new continuity of care model.
Recently, her focus has shifted to mental health, ensuring that women with perinatal mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, can access a known midwife throughout their pregnancy, birth and the early parenting period.
"Approximately one in five to one in 10 women will experience a mental health condition during pregnancy, and this has increased following COVID-19," says Allison.
"Having a known midwife decreases the need for these women to have to tell their story to several different care providers during pregnancy."
In addition, she recently led a study that demonstrated a reduction in preterm birth for a group of women who have a higher risk of preterm birth compared to women without mental health conditions.
Unfortunately, many women who have a pregnancy complicated by a mental health condition can't gain access to this model of care.
This is despite the Australian Clinical Practice Guidelines for perinatal mental health recommending midwifery continuity of care for women with anxiety and depression or other mental health conditions.
Research demands service redesign
While her research shouts for change, Allison admits there are many challenges.
"The implementation and scale up includes a whole service redesign as midwives no longer work on shifts but alongside the needs of the woman.
"The midwife needs to schedule antenatal care at a convenient time and place, they're then on call for the birth, and usually the postnatal care occurs in the woman's home."
This is very different for hospital management and leaders in maternity services who are used to 'staffing' a maternity service by rostering midwives to work on a ward every shift. The autonomous nature of the midwives' work in continuity of care presents a management challenge. But shift is happening.
"Over the years, through the dissemination of research findings and other education packages, many maternity managers are supportive of implementing the model of care," says Allison.
"My research has found that new graduate midwives are well prepared and supported by the small group of midwives to work in continuity of care, and a number of visionary maternity managers have employed them."
Initial employment includes a longer orientation period and a reduced caseload of women to care for initially until the new graduate has increased confidence through mentoring and support.
From local to international shift
Locally, Allison's research of new graduate midwives transitioning into midwifery continuity of care models is being implemented by the Central Coast Local Health District with Gosford Midwifery Group Practice employing and supporting a new graduate every year into the model.
The Belmont Midwifery Group Practice and Hunter Midwifery Group Practice in the Hunter New England Local Health District have also embraced the transition of new graduate midwives to this model and plan to up numbers in the next few years.
Nationally, Westmead, Canterbury, Mackay, Townsville and Mater Mothers Hospital in Queensland; Sunshine Coast Hospital in Victoria, Canberra hospital in the ACT and Alice Springs in the Northern Territory are just some of the sites now bringing graduates in under this model.
Allison's work has also been embraced in the UK and led to research alliances with the Yale-led Quality Maternal Newborn Care Research Alliance.
Most recently, she's collaborating with the NSW Ministry of Health, to evaluate a new maternity model of care, where women have continuity through the antenatal and postnatal periods.
"The opportunity to make this model available to more women is the aspect of the research that excites and motivates me to keep going," says Allison. "I feel proud when I see graduates and managers experiencing the benefits."
Pushing towards midwifery continuity of care
The crux of Allison's work to date has been focused on moving away from the traditional maternity care model, where women are seen by multiple midwives, obstetricians and GPs without continuity.
Career Summary
Biography
Allison Cummins is a high performing academic who is passionate about education and research. Allison was appointed as Associate Professor in Midwifery in 2021 at the University of Newcastle. In her role as Discipline Lead in Midwifery she is implementing a new innovative curriculum and increasing the visibility of the profession of midwifery. Allison continues to make an outstanding contribution to student learning through innovative subject design, embedding transitional workshops, whole of program coordination and co-design of curriculum.
Allison has built a body of research around midwifery models of care and graduate transitions. Her renowned reputation for research in this specific area has led to international research opportunities attracting funding and invited keynote addresses. Her current projects are discovering the experiences of women during the COVID-19 pandemic based on model of maternity care, outcomes for women with anxiety and depression who receive midwifery continuity of care and evaluating innovative midwifery models of care known as midwifery antenatal and postnatal services (MAPS) Allison has over 30 publications including peer reviewed high ranking journal articles, book chapters and co-edited two books.
Through internal and external service and engagement Allison has become a recognised leader in Midwifery. She is an elected Midwifery Director on the Board for the Australian College of Midwives, the peak professional body for midwives, Allison influences policy and the recognition of midwives and the profession of midwifery.
Internationally, Allison is a member of the Trans Tasman Midwifery Education Consortium and the Quality Maternal Newborn Care Alliance. Both these groups conduct research and inform policy in an International context.
Allison is an Associate Editor of the midwifery journal “Women and Birth International” (WOMBI) that publishes relevant research on all matters that affect women and birth. WOMBI is ranked the number 1 midwifery journal in the world and the 10th for nursing and midwifery.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Technology Sydney
- Master of Education in Adult Education, University of Technology Sydney
Keywords
- Midwifery
- Midwifery continuity of care
- Midwifery education
- Midwifery models of care
- Quality Maternal Newborn Care
Languages
- English (Mother)
Fields of Research
Code | Description | Percentage |
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420699 | Public health not elsewhere classified | 20 |
420499 | Midwifery not elsewhere classified | 80 |
Professional Experience
UON Appointment
Title | Organisation / Department |
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Associate Professor | University of Newcastle School of Nursing and Midwifery Australia |
Academic appointment
Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
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1/12/2016 - 1/12/2023 | Senior Lecturer in Midwifery | University of Technology Sydney Australia |
Professional appointment
Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
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1/12/2020 - 1/12/2023 |
Midwifery Director on the Board for the Australian College of Midwives Allison Cummins was elected to the Australian College of Midwives Board in 2020 and was appointed for a term of three years. Her role on the Board is to provide a midwifery perspective on the ACM's strategic direction and governance. |
Australian College of Midwives |
Awards
Research Award
Year | Award |
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2020 |
Distilling Impact from research University of Technology Sydney |
Teaching Award
Year | Award |
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2019 |
Approaches to learning and teaching that influence, motivate and inspire students to become woman-centred, professionally competent and collaborative practitioners University of Technology Sydney |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Book (2 outputs)
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2023 |
Cummins A, Gillett K, Mclaughlin K, Musgrave L, Wood J, Stories in Midwifery Reflection, Inquiry, Action, Elsevier, 0 (2023)
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2019 |
Gray M, Kitson-Reynolds E, Cummins A, Starting life as a midwife: An international review of transition from student to practitioner (2019) This volume explores the unique challenges midwifery graduates face as they move into practice. It identifies the similarities and differences in midwifery education, regulation, ... [more] This volume explores the unique challenges midwifery graduates face as they move into practice. It identifies the similarities and differences in midwifery education, regulation, and clinical practice faced by graduate midwives in all continents, examining the various support systems available for graduate midwives in many countries, and identifying the common strategies (formal and informal) and approaches that have proved to be effective in supporting midwifery graduates.The book volume brings together the experiences of new midwives starting out in registered practice, to share the challenges and triumphs during their transition to confident practitioners. It identifies, explains and details both established and innovative new mechanisms in place to support new midwives in each country, and examines the effects the experiences of transitioning to practice may have on future professional practice, resilience and sustainability. Lack of support during the new-graduate transition to practice has been associated with early attrition from the midwifery profession. Stress, disillusion, and horizontal violence have been identified as factors that influence midwifery attrition rates. Exploration of the various support mechanisms currently available in different countries may stimulate the sharing of best practices in providing new midwives with transition to practice programmes and generate further research.Each chapter is harmonized to facilitate the comparison between countries, and the maternity services context is explained using each country's specific legislation, regulation and registration of midwives. The preparation of midwifery students for qualified practice is outlined to explain how midwifery students are trained and socialized into the profession, mentored in their placements and then transitioned to registered midwife status. This book appeals to midwives, managers, educators, and newly graduated interested in international midwifery practice.
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Chapter (1 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | |||||
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2019 |
Cummins A, Gray M, ''Birth of a midwife: The transitional journey from student to practitioner'', Starting Life as a Midwife: An International Review of Transition from Student to Practitioner 1-17 (2019) Australia has a mixed private and public health service. The majority of childbearing women will access maternity services through the public health system. The majority of midwiv... [more] Australia has a mixed private and public health service. The majority of childbearing women will access maternity services through the public health system. The majority of midwives will work as part of the public health system. Most births occur in hospitals attended by a midwife, less than a third of all births occur in a private hospital with an obstetrician, a small proportion occur in a birth centre and <1% occur at home with a privately practising midwife. Midwives are employed to work on a roster in a public or private hospital. Some will work in small group practices providing care to a caseload of women known as midwifery-led continuity of care, usually in the hospital or birth centre setting. An even smaller proportion will provide homebirth as part of the public system or as a privately practising midwife in their own business. Pathways to becoming a midwife include a direct entry undergraduate degree, a direct entry double degree in nursing and midwifery and a postgraduate degree designed for registered nurses. Midwifery is regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, and all midwives need to be registered with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Authority. Newly graduated midwives have traditionally completed a transition to practice program that involves working for a specified period of time in each area of the maternity service. More recently new graduate midwives have been employed directly into midwifery-led continuity of care models. This chapter will provide an overview of the transitional journey from midwifery student to newly graduated midwife in the Australian context.
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Journal article (48 outputs)
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2024 |
Parry N, Catling C, Cummins A, 'Early career midwives' job satisfaction, career goals and intention to leave midwifery: A scoping review.', Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives, 37 98-105 (2024) [C1]
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2024 |
Liblub S, Pringle K, McLaughlin K, Cummins A, 'Peer support and mobile health for perinatal mental health: A scoping review.', Birth, (2024) [C1]
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2024 |
Kearney L, Cummins A, O'Connell M, Sweet L, 'Mastering the art of responding to peer review', Women and Birth, 37 257-258 (2024)
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2023 |
Cummins A, Sheehy A, Taylor J, DeVitry-Smith S, Nightingale H, Davis D, 'Association of continuity of carer and women's experiences of maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey', Midwifery, 124 (2023) [C1] Background: Recent research highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternity services, although none to date have analysed the association between continuity of carer a... [more] Background: Recent research highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternity services, although none to date have analysed the association between continuity of carer and how women felt about the changes to pregnancy care and birth plans. Aim: To describe pregnant women's self-reported changes to their planned pregnancy care and associations between continuity of carer and how women feel about changes to their planned care. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey of pregnant women aged over 18 years in their final trimester of pregnancy in Australia. Findings: 1668 women completed the survey. Most women reported at least one change to pregnancy care and birthing plans. Women receiving full continuity of carer were more likely to rate the changes to care as neutral/positive (p<.001) when compared with women who received partial or no continuity. Discussion: Pregnant women experienced many changes to their planned pregnancy and birth care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Women who received full continuity of carer experienced fewer changes to care and were more likely to feel neutral/positive about the changes than women who did not receive full continuity of carer.
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2023 |
Hanna CA, Cummins A, Fox D, 'Babies born with ambiguous genitalia: Developing an educational resource for Australian midwives.', Women Birth, 36 e142-e149 (2023) [C1]
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2023 |
Cummins A, Baird K, Melov SJ, Melhem L, Hilsabeck C, Hook M, et al., 'Does midwifery continuity of care make a difference to women with perinatal mental health conditions: A cohort study, from Australia.', Women Birth, 36 e270-e275 (2023) [C1]
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2023 |
Cummins A, Symon A, 'Transforming the Quality Maternal Newborn Care Framework into an index to measure the quality of maternity care.', Birth, 50 192-204 (2023) [C1]
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2023 |
Davis D, Sheehy A, Nightingale H, de Vitry-Smith S, Taylor J, Cummins A, 'Anxiety, stress, and depression in Australian pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross sectional study', MIDWIFERY, 119 (2023) [C1]
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2023 |
Hainsworth N, Cummins A, Newnham E, Foureur M, 'Learning through relationships: The transformative learning experience of midwifery continuity of care for students: A qualitative study', Women and Birth, 36 385-392 (2023) [C1] Background: Midwifery curricula in Australia incorporate ¿Continuity of care experiences¿ (CoCE) as an educational strategy based on an assumption that midwifery students will lea... [more] Background: Midwifery curricula in Australia incorporate ¿Continuity of care experiences¿ (CoCE) as an educational strategy based on an assumption that midwifery students will learn skills and knowledge about woman-centred care that they may not learn in the typical fragmented care system. However, exactly what skills and knowledge they are expected to ¿learn¿ and how these can be assessed have never been specifically identified. Aim: To explore midwifery students¿ continuity of care learning experiences within pre-registration midwifery education. Methods: Focus groups were conducted with first, second and third year Bachelor of Midwifery students (n = 12), who were undertaking CoCE in rural and regional tertiary hospitals in NSW, Australia. Findings: The overarching theme, ¿Learning through relationships¿, was made up of three interrelated themes: Meeting women and making connections, Being known, and Understanding holistic care. Discussion: The findings from this study contribute to understanding the educational effects of CoCE. The CoCE relationship provided safety and freedom to learn which was seen as foundational for midwifery students¿ vision of their future practice and can be seen as a self-determined transformational approach to learning. Conclusion: This study adds insight into midwifery students¿ experience of CoCE, and demonstrates that transformative learning occurs through developing a relationship with both the woman and the midwife. For midwifery to develop as a profession and maintain its focus on woman-centredness, it is important that this aspect of midwifery education remains embedded within midwifery program philosophies and learning outcomes.
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2023 |
Tafe A, Cummins A, Catling C, 'Exploring women's experiences in a midwifery continuity of care model following a traumatic birth.', Women Birth, 36 e421-e427 (2023) [C1]
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2023 |
Fox D, Scarf V, Turkmani S, Rossiter C, Coddington R, Sheehy A, et al., 'Midwifery continuity of care for women with complex pregnancies in Australia: An integrative review.', Women Birth, 36 e187-e194 (2023) [C1]
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2023 |
Prussing E, Browne G, Dowse E, Hartz D, Cummins A, 'Implementing midwifery continuity of care models in regional Australia: A constructivist grounded theory study.', Women Birth, 36 99-107 (2023) [C1]
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2022 |
Stulz VM, Bradfield Z, Cummins A, Catling C, Sweet L, McInnes R, et al., 'Midwives providing woman-centred care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia: A national qualitative study', WOMEN AND BIRTH, 35 475-483 (2022) [C1]
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2022 |
Asefa F, Cummins A, Dessie Y, Foureur M, Hayen A, 'Influence of gestational weight gain on baby's birth weight in Addis Ababa, Central Ethiopia: a follow-up study', BMJ OPEN, 12 (2022) [C1]
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2022 |
Cummins A, Griew K, Devonport C, Ebbett W, Catling C, Baird K, 'Exploring the value and acceptability of an antenatal and postnatal midwifery continuity of care model to women and midwives, using the Quality Maternal Newborn Care Framework', Women and Birth, 35 59-69 (2022) [C1] Background: Having a known midwife throughout pregnancy, birth and the early parenting period improves outcomes for mothers and babies. In Australia, midwifery continuity of care ... [more] Background: Having a known midwife throughout pregnancy, birth and the early parenting period improves outcomes for mothers and babies. In Australia, midwifery continuity of care has been recommended in all states, territories and nationally although uptake has been slow. Several barriers exist to implementing midwifery continuity of care models and some maternity services have responded by introducing modified models of continuity of care. An antenatal and postnatal continuity of care model without intrapartum care is one example of a modified model of care that has been introduced by health services. Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the value and acceptability of an antenatal and postnatal midwifery program to women, midwives and obstetricians prior to implementation of the model at one hospital in Metropolitan Sydney, Australia. Methods: A qualitative descriptive methodology was undertaken to discover the value and acceptability to the implementation of the model. Data was collected via focus groups and one to one interviews from the service users (pregnant women and two partners) and service providers (midwives and obstetricians). We also collected demographic data to demonstrate the diversity of the setting. The Quality Maternal Newborn Care (QMNC) Framework was used to guide the focus groups and analyse the data. Findings: Four themes emerged from the data that were named feeling safe and connected, having more quality time and being confident, having a sense of community and respecting cultural diversity. The findings were analysed through the lens of the quality components of the QMNC framework. The final findings demonstrate the value and acceptability of implementing this model of care from women's, midwives and obstetrician's perspective. Conclusions/implications: Providing midwifery continuity of care through the antenatal and postnatal period without intrapartum care, is being implemented in Australia without any research. Using the QMNC framework is a useful way to explore the qualities of a new emerging service and the values and acceptability of this model of care for service providers and service users.
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2022 |
Catling C, Rossiter C, Cummins A, McIntyre E, 'Midwifery workplace culture in Sydney, Australia', WOMEN AND BIRTH, 35 E379-E388 (2022) [C1]
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2021 |
Asefa F, Cummins A, Dessie Y, Foureur M, Hayen A, 'Patterns and predictors of gestational weight gain in Addis Ababa, Central Ethiopia: a prospective cohort study', REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, 18 (2021) [C1]
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2021 |
Minooee S, Cummins A, Foureur M, Travaglia J, 'Catastrophic thinking: Is it the legacy of traumatic births? Midwives' experiences of shoulder dystocia complicated births', WOMEN AND BIRTH, 34 E38-E46 (2021) [C1]
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2021 |
Minooee S, Cummins A, Foureur M, Travaglia J, 'Shoulder dystocia: A panic station or an opportunity for post-traumatic growth?', Midwifery, 101 103044 (2021) [C1]
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2020 |
Foureur M, Kumsa F, Cummins A, Hayen A, Dessie Y, 'Gestational Weight Gain and its Effect on Birth Outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis', PLoS ONE, 15 (2020) [C1]
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2020 |
Geia L, Baird K, Bail K, Barclay L, Bennett J, Best O, et al., 'A unified call to action from Australian nursing and midwifery leaders: ensuring that Black lives matter', Contemporary Nurse, 56 297-308 (2020) [C1] Nurses and midwives of Australia now is the time for change! As powerfully placed, Indigenous and non-Indigenous nursing and midwifery professionals, together we can ensure an eff... [more] Nurses and midwives of Australia now is the time for change! As powerfully placed, Indigenous and non-Indigenous nursing and midwifery professionals, together we can ensure an effective and robust Indigenous curriculum in our nursing and midwifery schools of education. Today, Australia finds itself in a shifting tide of social change, where the voices for better and safer health care ring out loud. Voices for justice, equity and equality reverberate across our cities, our streets, homes, and institutions of learning. It is a call for new songlines of reform. The need to embed meaningful Indigenous health curricula is stronger now than it ever was for Australian nursing and midwifery. It is essential that nursing and midwifery leadership continue to build an authentic collaborative environment for Indigenous curriculum development. Bipartisan alliance is imperative for all academic staff to be confident in their teaching and learning experiences with Indigenous health syllabus. This paper is a call out. Now is the time for Indigenous and non-Indigenous nurses and midwives to make a stand together, for justice and equity in our teaching, learning, and practice. Together we will dismantle systems, policy, and practices in health that oppress. The Black Lives Matter movement provides us with a ¿now window¿ of accepted dialogue to build a better, culturally safe Australian nursing and midwifery workforce, ensuring that Black Lives Matter in all aspects of health care.
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2020 |
Frawley JE, McKenzie K, Sinclair L, Cummins A, Wardle J, Hall H, 'Midwives' knowledge, attitudes and confidence in discussing maternal and childhood immunisation with parents: A national study', VACCINE, 38 366-371 (2020) [C1]
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2020 |
Cummins A, Coddington R, Fox D, Symon A, 'Exploring the qualities of midwifery-led continuity of care in Australia (MiLCCA) using the quality maternal and newborn care framework', WOMEN AND BIRTH, 33 125-134 (2020) [C1]
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2020 |
Frawley JE, McKenzie K, Cummins A, Sinclair L, Wardle J, Hall H, 'Midwives' role in the provision of maternal and childhood immunisation information', WOMEN AND BIRTH, 33 145-152 (2020) [C1]
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2020 |
Asefa F, Cummins A, Dessie Y, Foureu M, Hayen A, 'Midwives' and obstetricians' perspectives about pregnancy related weight management in Ethiopia: A qualitative study', PLOS ONE, 15 (2020) [C1]
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2020 |
Minooee S, Cummins A, Sims DJ, Foureur M, Travaglia J, 'Scoping review of the impact of birth trauma on clinical decisions of midwives', Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 26 1270-1279 (2020) [C1] Objective: The psychological and emotional impact of a traumatic birth experience on clinicians is well-established. It is also known that emotions can generally influence decisio... [more] Objective: The psychological and emotional impact of a traumatic birth experience on clinicians is well-established. It is also known that emotions can generally influence decisions. However, it is not clear whether experiencing a birth trauma can affect the professional behaviour and decision-making of clinicians. This study explores the impact of birth trauma on clinical decision-making of midwives. Data Sources: Four databases (Medline, Scopus, CINAHL and ProQuest) were searched to identify English language studies published from 1990 to 2018. Due to the lack of studies with specific focus on clinical decision-making after birth trauma, we defined two main domains for our literature search. To be included, studies had to focus on either traumatic birth experience or clinical decision-making in midwifery. The findings of the two domains were then integrated. Study Selection: Of a total 2104 studies identified, 70 received full-text screening with 40 included in the review. Twenty-two articles were about traumatic birth events and 18 examined decision-making in midwifery. Data Extraction: Information were extracted on each article's purpose, study design, data collection, participants, definitions of birth trauma and the context in which clinical decisions were made. Results: Thematic analysis was conducted. The impact of birth trauma on midwives could be categorized into the following themes: psychological issues; professional concerns; changes in practice and positive impact. Review of literature indicated that clinical decision-making could be influenced through all these themes. Conclusion: Decision-making can be impacted by the midwife's affective state related to previous experience of birth trauma. The continuum of impact may vary from increased defensiveness to increased personal and professional growth. Being aware of this impact can help midwives to better manage their emotions while making decision after traumatic birth experiences.
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2019 |
Symon A, McFadden A, White M, Fraser K, Cummins A, 'Using a quality care framework to evaluate user and provider experiences of maternity care: A comparative study', MIDWIFERY, 73 17-25 (2019) [C1]
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2019 |
Symon A, McFadden A, White M, Fraser K, Cummins A, 'Using the Quality Maternal and Newborn Care Framework to evaluate women's experiences of different models of care: A qualitative study', MIDWIFERY, 73 26-34 (2019) [C1]
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2018 |
Cummins AM, Wight R, Watts N, Catling C, 'Introducing sensitive issues and self-care strategies to first year midwifery students', MIDWIFERY, 61 8-14 (2018) [C1]
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2018 |
Cummins AM, Catling C, Homer CSE, 'Enabling new graduate midwives to work in midwifery continuity of care models: A conceptual model for implementation', WOMEN AND BIRTH, 31 343-349 (2018) [C1]
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2018 |
Symon A, McFadden A, White M, Fraser K, Cummins A, 'Adapting the Quality Maternal and Newborn Care (QMNC) Framework to evaluate models of antenatal care: A pilot study', PLOS ONE, 13 (2018) [C1]
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2018 |
Valizadeh S, Hosseinzadeh M, Mohammadi E, Hassankhani H, Fooladi MM, Cummins A, 'Coping mechanism against high levels of daily stress by working breastfeeding mothers in Iran', International Journal of Nursing Sciences, 5 39-44 (2018) [C1] Objectives: Breastfeeding mothers returning to work undertake multiple conflicting roles at home and work that can result in high levels of stress. Exploring coping skills amongst... [more] Objectives: Breastfeeding mothers returning to work undertake multiple conflicting roles at home and work that can result in high levels of stress. Exploring coping skills amongst these mothers can help in planning useful programmes to promote family wellbeing. This study aims to explore the experiences of working breastfeeding mothers and their coping mechanism against high levels of daily stress. Methods: In this qualitative study, we described the experiences of 20 Iranian breastfeeding mothers through in-depth and semi-structured interviews. All interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Two main themes emerged as follows: 1) self-management with subthemes of a) attitude reconstruction, b) order and planning, c) creating a boundary between work and family and d) reprioritising life affairs; and 2) seeking help with subthemes of a) family member support, b) childcare facilities and c) spirituality. Conclusions: Findings suggest that women need support from family members and family-friendly policies at the workplace. Breastfeeding mothers may benefit from educational programmes that focus on effective coping strategies.
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2018 |
Minooee S, Cummins A, Foureur M, 'Shoulder dystocia and range of head-body delivery interval (HBDI): The association between prolonged HBDI and neonatal outcomes: Protocol for a systematic review', European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 229 82-87 (2018) [C1] Objective: Shoulder dystocia (SD) is an obstetric emergency which if not carefully diagnosed and managed, can contribute to lifelong neonatal morbidities. Despite current guidelin... [more] Objective: Shoulder dystocia (SD) is an obstetric emergency which if not carefully diagnosed and managed, can contribute to lifelong neonatal morbidities. Despite current guidelines on the definition of SD (impaction of the fetal shoulder behind the maternal symphysis pubis and need for ancillary manoeuvres or head-body delivery interval (HBDI) >60 s) its accurate diagnosis requires clinical expertise as well as overall consideration of feto-maternal condition. Based on the literature available, our study aims to determine (1) the range of HBDI as an indicator of SD and (2) the neonatal complications occurring following prolonged HBDI in normal or SD-complicated births. Study design: A comprehensive literature search will be conducted in the following databases MEDLINE, CINAHL and Scopus (Elsevier) as well as international obstetric guidelines to find English language published data since 1970 that evaluate HBDI, prolonged HBDI and associated neonatal outcomes. Retrospective/prospective observational studies and randomized controlled trials will be recruited. As heterogeneity in definitions of SD among studies is expected, we will categorize our results according to the following two definitions: 1-Bony obstruction of fetal shoulder behind the maternal symphysis pubis or less commonly, posterior shoulder on sacral promontory and need for ancillary manoeuvres or 2- Head-body delivery interval (HBDI)> 60 s). Two reviewers will independently identify eligible studies, assess risk of bias and extract data based on predefined checklists. Outcomes of interest will be the HBDI in normal and SD-complicated births and associated neonatal consequences. Discussion: Findings of this systematic review will provide reliable information regarding (1) the interval between birth of the head and birth of the shoulders and (2) neonatal outcomes attributed to either true SD or prolonged HBDI. Our findings will add to the knowledge of whether prolonged HBDI is an appropriate definition for SD and whether/what level of prolongation of HBDI results in adverse neonatal outcomes. This increased understanding will better inform the clinical practice of midwives and obstetricians.
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2017 |
Cummins AM, Denney-Wilson E, Homer CSE, 'The mentoring experiences of new graduate midwives working in midwifery continuity of care models in Australia', NURSE EDUCATION IN PRACTICE, 24 106-111 (2017) [C1]
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2016 |
Cummins AM, Denney-Wilson E, Homer CSE, 'The challenge of employing and managing new graduate midwives in midwifery group practices in hospitals', JOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT, 24 614-623 (2016) [C1]
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2016 |
Catling C, Hogan R, Fox D, Cummins A, Kelly M, Sheehan A, 'Simulation workshops with first year midwifery students', NURSE EDUCATION IN PRACTICE, 17 109-115 (2016) [C1]
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Show 45 more journal articles |
Conference (11 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | |||||
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2023 |
Cummins A, Pasupathy D, Baird K, Foureur M, McLaughlin K, Newnham L, et al., 'Women with perinatal mental health concerns have improved outcomes with Midwifery Continuity of Care but a change in practice is required to support the midwives', WOMEN AND BIRTH (2023)
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2022 |
Prussing E, Cummins A, 'Supporting the successful transition of new graduate midwives into MGP models: together through a mentor-mentee skills workshop', WOMEN AND BIRTH (2022)
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2019 |
Fox D, Hanna C, Cummins A, 'Babies born with ambiguous genitalia: Exploring the midwife's role in supporting families at birth', WOMEN AND BIRTH (2019)
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Show 8 more conferences |
Grants and Funding
Summary
Number of grants | 6 |
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Total funding | $186,452 |
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
20231 grants / $8,966
External collaboration_International_Cummins$8,966
Funding body: University of Newcastle
Funding body | University of Newcastle |
---|---|
Project Team | Associate Professor Allison Cummins |
Scheme | External Collaboration Grant Scheme - International |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2023 |
Funding Finish | 2023 |
GNo | G2300435 |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | Y |
20221 grants / $71,486
Evaluating Midwifery Antenatal and Postnatal Services (MAPS) in NSW$71,486
Funding body: NSW Ministry of Health
Funding body | NSW Ministry of Health |
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Project Team | Associate Professor Allison Cummins, Doctor Elysse Prussing, Doctor Karen McLaughlin, Doctor Liz Newnham, Kelley Lennon, Jacqueline Cross, Naomi Ford, Helen McCarthy, Professor Maralyn Foureur |
Scheme | Prequalification Scheme: Performance and Management Services |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2022 |
Funding Finish | 2022 |
GNo | G2200175 |
Type Of Funding | C2400 – Aust StateTerritoryLocal – Other |
Category | 2400 |
UON | Y |
20211 grants / $35,000
Pregnant women and new mothers accessing culturally safe health care & support through #thismymob$35,000
Funding body: University of Technology Sydney
Funding body | University of Technology Sydney |
---|---|
Project Team | Dr Allison Maree Cummins – Lead investigator 75% Dr Vanessa Louise Scarf A/Prof Christopher Lawrence Ms Sophie Ritchie Prof Olivera Marjanovic A/Prof Tuck Wah Leong Prof Kathleen Marion Baird Ms Loretta Musgrave (Chief |
Scheme | FEIT Cross Faculty Collaboration, University of Technology Sydney |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2021 |
Funding Finish | 2021 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | External |
Category | EXTE |
UON | N |
20182 grants / $40,000
Midwifery Led Continuity of Care in Australia (MiLCCA) project $20,000
Funding body: University of Technology Sydney
Funding body | University of Technology Sydney |
---|---|
Project Team | Cummins, A - lead investigator – 75% Dr R Coddington, Dr D Fox Dr A Symon (Dundee Uni) |
Scheme | Early Career Researcher |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2018 |
Funding Finish | 2018 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | External |
Category | EXTE |
UON | N |
Project aimed to determine the attitudes of midwives towards maternal and childhood vaccination and understand how they communicate to parents about maternal and childhood vaccination 2018$20,000
Funding body: University of Technology Sydney
Funding body | University of Technology Sydney |
---|---|
Project Team | Dr Frawley Dr Cummins – co-investigator 30% Dr Sinclair Dr Wardle Dr Hall |
Scheme | Faculty of Health seed funding grant |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2018 |
Funding Finish | 2018 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | External |
Category | EXTE |
UON | N |
20171 grants / $31,000
Evaluation of Wollongong Midwifery Group Practice$31,000
Funding body: Wollongong Hospital and Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District
Funding body | Wollongong Hospital and Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District |
---|---|
Project Team | Cummins, A. – lead investigator -80% Dr R Coddington Professor M Foureur M |
Scheme | Wollongong Hospital Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2017 |
Funding Finish | 2017 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Other Public Sector - State |
Category | 2OPS |
UON | N |
Research Supervision
Number of supervisions
Current Supervision
Commenced | Level of Study | Research Title | Program | Supervisor Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | PhD | Does the Use of a Mindfulness App Improve Pregnant Women’s Anxiety and Depression When Combined with Peer Support ? | PhD (Midwifery), College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle | Principal Supervisor |
2022 | PhD | Indian Women’s Experiences of Obstetric Violence and Its Impact | PhD (Midwifery), College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle | Principal Supervisor |
2021 | Masters | The acceptability of video-conferencing for the provision of Clinical Supervision for Midwives | Midwifery, University of Technology Sydney | Co-Supervisor |
2021 | Honours | Fear of labour and birth in young adult primiparous women in Australia: A descriptive phenomenological study using the Fear of Birth Scale as a prompt | Midwifery, University of Technology Sydney | Co-Supervisor |
2020 | Honours | How do models of maternity care in Australia impact on women's experiences of psychological birth trauma | Midwifery, University of Technology Sydney | Co-Supervisor |
2020 | PhD | Exploring the career trajectory of early career midwives who aspire to work in midwifery continuity of care models | Midwifery, University of Technology Sydney | Principal Supervisor |
2019 | PhD | Facilitators and Barriers for Breastfeeding among Working Women in Saudi Arabia | PhD (Nursing), College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle | Principal Supervisor |
2017 | PhD | Exploration of midwives’ experiences about shoulder dystocia-complicated births and investigation of the incidence of shoulder dystocia in the Royalat one Australian Hospital for Women: An exploratory sequential mixed methods study | Midwifery, University of Technology Sydney | Co-Supervisor |
Past Supervision
Year | Level of Study | Research Title | Program | Supervisor Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | PhD | Transforming Midwifery Education through Continuity of Care Experiences and Heutagogy: A Qualitative Interpretative Study | PhD (Midwifery), College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
2021 | PhD | Gestational Weight Gain in Central Ethiopia: Patterns, Predictors, Birth Weight, Women’s and Care Providers’ Views. A Mixed Method Study | Public Health, University of Technology Sydney | Co-Supervisor |
Research Projects
Does the model of maternity care make a difference to birth outcomes for women who have a perinatal mental health concern? A retrospective cohort study 2021 -
Background: The benefits of midwifery continuity of care during pregnancy for healthy women with a
low risk pregnancy have been well established. High quality evidence suggests that midwife-led care (or
caseload midwifery) is associated with improved maternal and neonatal outcomes such as increased
chance of spontaneous vaginal birth, reduced rate of fetal loss or neonatal death, reduced rate of
preterm birth and lower rates of intrapartum interventions. Despite clear evidence on the positive
impact of caseload midwifery for women with low risk pregnancies, less is known about pregnancies
that are complicated with physical or mental conditions. Pregnancy may trigger or exacerbate mental
disorders, in particular anxiety and depression which are reported as the most common mental
disorders during antenatal and postnatal periods. However, the role of caseload midwifery in
pregnancies affected by mental health conditions is under-researched.
Aim: To determine if midwifery care provided under a caseload midwifery model is associated with
improved perinatal outcomes for women with perinatal anxiety and depression and/or other perinatal
mental health conditions compared to standard models of maternity care (shared midwifery/GP/
midwife/obstetric).
Hypothesis: Midwifery continuity of care model improves perinatal outcomes for women who have
anxiety and depression and/or other perinatal mental health conditions.
Validation of the Quality Maternal and Newborn Care Framework index (QMNCFi) - survey user version 2020 -
Quality maternity care is known to improve a range of outcomes for mothers and babies. The Lancet Series on Midwifery’s Quality Maternal and Newborn Care (QMNC) Framework (Renfrew et al., 2014) is a high-level synthesis of the global evidence on quality maternity care. It has influenced global benchmarks for antenatal care (WHO [World Health Organization], 2016) and specific national maternity care policy (COAG Health Council, 2019; Scottish Government, 2017). Crucially, the QMNC Framework’s comprehensive, evidence-based approach to identifying the components and characteristics of quality care provides a benchmark for service evaluation across different service delivery contexts.
Following our successful adaptation of the QMNC Framework for qualitative evaluations of maternity care (Cummins et al., 2019; Cummins et al., 2021; Symon et al., 2018, 2019b), we have now developed the QMNC Framework index (QMNCFi), a prototype tool for quantitative evaluation of maternity services by service users. This proposal describes the formal psychometric evaluation of the QMNCFi in an international online study in the United Kingdom, Australia, India and Ghana.
Association of model of care on pregnant women's stress, anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic 2020 -
Background: Research has examined how to provide care to women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some research has explored women’s experiences during the pandemic however no research has asked women how they feel about the changes to care and analysed the association of continuity of carer on women’s experiences. We examined pregnant women’s self-reported changes to their planned pregnancy care and evaluate associations between continuity of care and women’s feelings about changes to their planned care. A cross-sectional online survey of pregnant women aged over 18 years in their final trimester of pregnancy in Australia was undertaken. The survey questions evaluated women’s experiences and how they felt about maternity care changes by level of continuity. We found 1668 women completed the survey with most women having reported at least one change to pregnancy care and birthing plans. Most were unhappy about the changes experienced. Women receiving full continuity of care were more likely to rate their feelings to changed care plans as happy or very happy (p<0.001) than those women who received partial or no continuity.
Edit
Associate Professor Allison Cummins
Position
Associate Professor
Midwifery Team at Newcastle University School of Nursing and Midwifery College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing
School of Nursing and Midwifery
College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing
Contact Details
allison.cummins@newcastle.edu.au | |
Phone | (02) 434 84220 |
Office
Location | Central Coast Clinical School and Research Institute , |
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