The PNG Midwifery Leadership Buddy Program: An evaluation

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Midwifery Leadership
• Health Systems Strengthening

Background:

• Papua New Guinea faces high rates of preventable maternal and neonatal deaths.
• Developing midwifery leadership is crucial for improving health outcomes for women and newborns.
• The Midwifery Leadership Buddy Program pairs PNG and Australian midwives for leadership training and peer support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate participant experiences within the Midwifery Leadership Buddy Program.
• To assess the program's impact on leadership skills development.
• To explore the program's effectiveness in a resource-limited setting.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys.
• Twenty-three program completers participated in the evaluation.
• Qualitative data underwent thematic analysis, while quantitative data used descriptive statistics, with findings triangulated.

Main Results:

• Participants reported enhanced confidence in leadership, action, and advocacy.
• Multiple quality improvement projects were initiated in PNG health services.
• Key challenges included technological limitations, cultural differences, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusions:

• The program was perceived as successful in boosting leadership skills and collaboration.
• Participants valued the experience, reporting professional and personal benefits.
• The Buddy Program serves as a transferable model for building midwifery leadership capacity.