Journal of Japan Academy of Midwifery
Online ISSN : 1882-4307
Print ISSN : 0917-6357
ISSN-L : 0917-6357
Review articles
A literature review on postnatal debriefing
Yumiko SUZUKINoriko OKUBO
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JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2018 Volume 32 Issue 1 Pages 3-14

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Abstract

Purpose

This study assessed research trends in postnatal debriefing to identify implications for future practice and research.

Method

A literature search of the Japan Medical Abstracts Society, CINAHL, and PubMed databases was conducted using the following keywords: Childbirth, After-birth, Postnatal, Postpartum, Debriefing, and Midwife-led counseling, including all studies published between 1980 and 2016. We only selected original articles and identified studies on postnatal debriefing offered to postpartum women. We used Garrard's matrix method to describe the results.

Results

Eighteen articles were selected for the analysis. Differences were observed in the trends in postnatal debriefing studies in Japan and foreign countries. Japanese studies began by using a qualitative approach for postnatal debriefing, describing the effects of intervention. Subsequently, further studies also delved into hypothesis testing assessing the effects of postnatal debriefing. In contrast, foreign studies on postnatal debriefing initially included qualitative research to describe the effects of intervention and hypothesis testing to evaluate the effects of intervention. In cases where the researchers indicated a lack of robust evidence on postnatal debriefing as a problem, an increase in the hypothesis testing approach using a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing to evaluate the intervention was observed. However, a Cochrane systematic review revealed no evidence of benefits from a single debriefing session and indicated some potential for harm, as researchers focused on surveys to research current practice and qualitative studies to explore women's experience of postnatal debriefing. It was revealed that intervention was not appropriate for all women and that the timing of the intervention needed to be examined while considering individual situations. Possibly, the past practices did not reflect women's needs. Subsequently, a study utilizing hypothesis testing was conducted based on past studies and was aimed at development of the practice of considering women's needs.

Conclusion

In Japan, the routine of performing postnatal debriefing needs to be reevaluated. To provide appropriate intervention required by women, it is necessary to identify women's postpartum needs for postnatal debriefing and investigate the practice that needs to be performed.

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© 2018 Japan Academy of Midwifery
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