Identifying determinants of protocol adoption by midwives: a comprehensive approach

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Services Research
• Midwifery Practice

Background:

• Effective preventive interventions, such as smoking cessation protocols, often face challenges in adoption within healthcare settings.
• Understanding the determinants of adoption is crucial for successful implementation and improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify organizational and psychosocial factors influencing the adoption of a smoking cessation protocol by Dutch midwifery practices.
• To determine whether personal or organizational factors are stronger predictors of protocol adoption.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was administered to 446 Dutch midwifery practices, with 251 (56%) responding.
• Data were analyzed to assess the relationship between various factors and the adoption of a smoking cessation protocol.

Main Results:

• Protocol adoption was facilitated by practice assistants and hindered by a high proportion of clients from foreign ethnic backgrounds.
• Positive attitudes, perceived social norms, awareness of other users, and knowledge significantly increased adoption likelihood.
• Personal awareness and motivation factors were stronger predictors of adoption than organizational factors.

Conclusions:

• Midwifery practices' decisions to adopt smoking cessation protocols are primarily driven by individual perceptions and motivations.
• Targeting psychosocial factors and enhancing personal awareness may be key to promoting the uptake of preventive interventions in midwifery.