Women's experiences of male nursing and midwifery care: An inductive content analysis of blog posts from an open-access parenting site

Abstract

Background: There still remains a gender divide between men and women when it comes to the provision of nursing care. To date, there is a plethora of literature that describes the barriers men face in the profession. However, there is very little with regard to the patients’ qualitative experience of male nursing/midwife care. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the experiences of women being cared for by a male nurse/midwife. Method: Inductive content analysis was undertaken on blog posts from an online parenting site as they related to the care provided by male nurses and midwives. Results: A total of 128 blog posts were identified. There were two themes identified—feeling comfortable and feeling cared for. There was a polarized view to the care provided by male nurses and male midwives with respondents either flatly refusing, or wanting a preference as to which gender provided care, to others expressing it was the best care they ever experienced. The provision of care was where the blog posts differed significantly. There were mixed emotions from angered embarrassment at the thought of a male nurse/midwife providing intimate care to being Ok with nonintimate care such as the taking of vital signs. Conclusion: It would appear from the blog posts analyzed that the assimilation of men into clinical areas generally seen as the purview of female nurses is slowly becoming accepted although further research as to the patient perspective of male nursing/midwifery care in these areas is needed.