Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2025

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
Climate-fuelled disasters and perinatal health: the catch 22 when undertaking research within an under-resourced
Adelle McArdle1, Julie Willems1, Eleanor Mitchell1
1Monash Rural Health, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.
Background:
Climate-fuelled disasters are increasing in frequency and duration, with impacts known to disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, such as perinatal women and young families. Local healthcare workforce engagement into planning responses is required to ensure improved healthcare for these populations. One important component of perinatal care in Australia occurs through the maternal and child health nurses (MCHN). Attempted research engagement with the maternal child health nurse sector regarding the impact of disasters on the care of perinatal women during times of disaster has encountered structural barriers.
Aim:
To understand the structural barriers that impact the research engagement of rural MCHN particularly during times of disasters.
Methods:
A facilitated focus group with semi-structured questions was conducted with five participant-researchers. The focus group discussion underwent reflexive thematic analysis.
Results:
Identified themes were Rationale for Research into Care of Families in the Perinatal Period, Perinatal Health and Service Provision and The Overlay of Disasters. An overarching fourth theme Implications for future Research identified elements that may improve the research engagement of primary healthcare staff, including MCHN.
Conclusion:
There is a need to overcome structural challenges to MCHN engagement in meaningful research around the impacts of multiple disasters. Appropriate research design, including utilising co-design, adequate resourcing, and planned and considered participant communication may help to improve participant engagement for this important research. With improved sector engagement, the ongoing care of perinatal women in the current environment of multiple and compounding climate-fuelled disasters will be improved.
Related Concept Videos
What is Climate?
Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
Global Climate Change
Dimensions of Health and Illness
Teratogenicity
Pneumothorax-I
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.

