Dr Elysse Prussing

Elysse Prussing is an early career research midwife and academic, who is passionate about providing woman-centred care, advocating for their needs and ensuring access to best evidence-based care. In 2015, Elysse graduated from the University of Newcastle, Bachelor of Midwifery with distinction. The following year her Class 1 Honours thesis was awarded both a University of Newcastle medal and a Faculty of Health and Medicine medal. Most recently, Elysse has completed and been awarded a PhD in midwifery for her thesis exploring the factors that influence the implementation of midwifery continuity of care models. Elysse has worked as a midwifery academic with the University of Newcastle since 2017 and maintains clinical currency working as a midwife in Port Macquarie. Elysse is enthusiastic about improving standards of maternity care and addressing the gap between theory and practice.
 
The purpose of Elysse’s PhD studies was to understand how to make the best possible midwifery services available to all women, particularly those in under serviced rural areas. This qualitative work led to engagement with national midwifery leaders and has been central to significant changes in access to midwifery services and has directly influenced policy and the research agenda. Through presenting her findings at the Australian College of Midwives national conference Elysse was invited by the ministerial midwifery advisor of NSW, to present her findings regarding how to improve access to midwifery continuity of care services for all women to a state-wide antenatal and postnatal (MAPS) community of practice. Subsequently, Elysse has established a collaboration with experts across three universities (University of Newcastle, Southern Cross University and Charles Darwin University), policymakers from the Agency for Clinical Innovation and NSW Health, and industry partners via the Mid North Coast Local Health District. Based on her PhD findings and connections, new midwifery continuity of care services have now been implemented in the Mid North Coast and local women have access to midwifery-led models based on the highest level of evidence. The preliminary findings of this subsequent work demonstrate that women have a safer birth and feel more empowered than under previous service models.
 
Her PhD journey enabled her to become a high achieving early career researcher with several grant applications submitted to advance her work in other settings.  The opportunities afforded to Elysse through the PhD have led to recognition and collaborations through a national conference, influence with state-level policymakers and safer midwifery-led continuity of care, that are also translating into competitive research funding and future international publications.