A feasibility study to improve practice nurses' competence and confidence in providing care for mothers and infants

Background: Postnatal care is best provided in primary health care settings, yet Practice Nurses (PNs) lack relevant training and report difficulty in providing postnatal care.Aim: To evaluate the feasibility of a pilot educational intervention in improving PN competence and confidence to care for mothers and infants in the first postnatal year.Design: A feasibility study.Methods: PNs were recruited from selected general practices Queensland, Australia to undertake the pilot educational intervention that included a pre-intervention survey, two-day education program, program evaluation and completion of a practice journal.Results: Thirteen PNs from three general practices participated, with 31% completing all study components. Evaluation of the intervention was positive and all participants reported increased confidence and competence in providing postnatal care. Following detailed consideration of feasibility (process, resource, management and scientific assessment) we propose that changes to intervention delivery and data collection should be incorporated into a larger trial.