Research Profile

Geraldine McLoughlin

Biography

Dr Geraldine Mc Loughlin is a Lecturer in Midwifery in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Ireland.  She holds a Bachelors degree from University College Cork, an MSc from Manchester University and PhD in Education from University College Cork.  Her PhD thesis was titled: Women’s Experiences of Maternal Foetal/Infant Attachment during the Transition to New Motherhood using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.
As BSc Midwifery programme co-ordinator  (2016 - 2021), I was the lead in the development of the Midwifery curriculum for the BSc Midwifery programme which commenced in Sept 2018, and assisted with the development of the Curriculum for the Higher Diploma in Midwifery. My contributions largely involve developing the philosophy of midwifery, evaluation of modules with reference to their content and development of evidence based assessment criteria by the implementation of a robust educational and assessment framework. I am also a member of the National Competency Framework Committee (NMBI) to develop national standards for clinical assessment of student midwives as they progress through their midwifery education programme. Also, I was charged with the development of a new course structure which is required to incorporate the recommendations of the Midwife Registration Programme Standards and Requirements (NMBI 2016).
I am the external examiner for the Higher Diploma in Midwifery and the MSc in Midwifery at Trinity College Dublin. Also, I hold the position of external examiner for the Higher Diploma in Midwifery and the Certificate in the Recognition and Care of the Acutely ill woman in Maternity Services in Dundalk Institute of Technology. I was appointed as external examiner for Queens University Belfast for UG and PG Post Registration Midwifery programmes and Programme Examiner for Graduate Diploma in Neonatal Studies, BSc in Neonatal Studies, Grad Diploma in Enhanced Neonatal Studies, BSc in Enhanced Neonatal Studies, BSc in Professional Studies in Midwifery.   -Previously, I facilitated programmatic reviews for validation within the School of Health and Science and the Center for Learning and Teaching in the Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT).

Research interests include Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Preparation for Parenthood, Maternal morbidity and mortalities associated with childbirth, and the associated factors influencing the transition to motherhood and organisational management of clinical services. Her philosophy is that women and their families should be facilitated to have a positive pregnancy and childbirth experience, which in turn will positively affect the woman’s physical, psychological and social perspective of becoming a mother and subsequently will enhance infant well being.
She has extensive senior clinical experience as a Labour ward sister (CMM2 equivalent), in fetal medicine, in community midwifery - to include home birth, water birth, and provision of both antenatal and postnatal care, and midwifery in the acute setting. She has previous experience of working with students in the clinical setting as a Clinical Placement Co-Ordinator. She previously held the post of the Director of Postgraduate Midwifery (10 years) and is the BSc (Hons) Midwifery Programme Co-Ordinator since 2017. She lectures on all aspects of Midwifery care and Women's Health to both undergraduate and postgraduate students, and supervises students’ research projects at undergraduate, postgraduate and masters level. She is also involved in multidisciplinary education such as: PROMPT Obstetric Emergency Programmes and Neonatal Resuscitation Programmes. She is also a member of the Infant Mental Health Network.

Research Interests

My scholarly standing and research profile is evident from my research to date - publications, conferences and PhD studies and is also evident in my continued commitment to teaching, research and education. My research area of expertise and interest relates to support for mothers and their families, during pregnancy and childbirth, particularly in the perinatal period. I successfully completed a PhD in Education where my research thesis explored ‘Women’s Experiences of Maternal Foetal/Infant Attachment during the Transition to New Motherhood using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis’. It is my plan to build on my existing research profile by disseminating my research both at a national and international level. The importance of linking research with practice is a key aspect in the development of course curricular and the development of excellence in midwifery practice. To ensure midwives and nurses are educated to provide high quality care and to foster the development of evidence based practice all my lectures are research based and supported with relevant references. The significance of my research into the effects of Hospital amalgamation has been recognised by presenting the findings at the Research Meeting in CUMH - Oct 2008 and to the Division of Cardiology and the Division of Urology  in view of their amalgamation of services in Cork – facilitating advise and direction regarding a seamless transition for all stakeholders. Engagement with Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland in relation to the development of a national document for the assessment of clinical competency for midwifery students
NMBI is the regulatory body for the nursing and midwifery professions providing curriculum approval for midwifery programmes.

International Research Collaboration  
The Board of Cochrane Nursing Care Field (CNCF) oversees the work of Cochrane collaboration of which I am a reviewer.   Peer Reviewer for MORE EBen I am a Sentinel reader for MORE EBen to rate research articles for BMJ updates and Evidence based Journals since Oct 2006.  moreebn@mcmaster.ca [SMTP:moreebn@mcmaster.ca] This organisation represents the most integrated yet diverse clinical research system in the world, driving research from theory  to clinical practice for the benefit of all who utilise the health care service.   COST Action (IS0907) Participant (2010 2014) COST Action (IS0907) Childbirth Cultures, Concerns, and Consequences: Creating a dynamic EU framework for optimal maternity care   International Research Conferences Oral Presentations (Selected)  

  • Mc Loughlin, G. (2020) The 'Prisim of Maternal Attachment'  International Conference on Nurse education: Research and Practice, Valencia, Spain (Feb 24-26th 2020) ·  
  • Johnson, D. Lawlor, D...McLoughlin, G (2019) Development of a National Competence Assessment tool to assess clinical practice of undergraduate student midwives in the ROI. Royal College of Midwives Annual Conference, Manchester (Sept 2019)
  • McLoughlin, G. (Oct 2018) ‘Wearing the Mask of Motherhood’ World Congress for Midwifery and Women’s Health. Frankfurt
  • Mc Loughlin, G (May 2018) The ‘Prism’ of Maternal Attachment. South/South West Hospital Group Midwifery Conference , May 1st 2018, UCC  
  • Mc Loughlin, G (2018) ‘Hitting the wall’, PhD Journey, Research Conference, The Kingsley Hotel , Cork in association with UCC, May 17th 2018 
  • Mc Loughlin, G (2017) The International Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Conference, Glasgow Caledonian University, 18TH & 19th May, 2017
  • Healthcare Informatics Society of Ireland 17th International Conference, Dublin, Ireland 14th & 15th Nov 2012 (Oral Presentation)
  • International Confederation of Midwives Triennial Conference, Glasgow, UK June 2008 (Oral Presentation)
  National Research Conferences - Oral Presentations (Selected)
  • Mc Loughlin, G (May 2018) The ‘Prism’ of Maternal Attachment. South/South West Hospital Group Midwifery Conference , May 1st 2018, UCC
  • Mc Loughlin, G (2018) ‘Hitting the wall’, PhD Journey, Research Conference, The Kingsley Hotel , Cork in association with UCC, May 17th 2018
  Publications (Selection) :
Mc Loughlin.G. (26th Feb 2020) Interventions during pregnancy to prevent preterm birth: An overview of Cochrane systematic reviews. Research in Nursing and Health. DOI:10.1002/nur.22005

Mc Loughlin, G. (2019)Intermittent iron supplementation for reducing anaemia and its associated impairments in adolescent and adult menstruating women. International Journal of Evidence Based Healthcare

Mc Loughlin, G. (2019) Interventions during pregnancy to prevent preterm birth: an overview of Cochrane systematic reviews. Research in Nursing and Health Journal.


Mc Loughlin, G (2018) Protein Supplementation of Human Milk for promoting growth in preterm infants. International Journal of Evidence Based Healthcare

Mc Loughlin, G. (2018) Rooming-in for new mother and infant versus separate   care for increasing the duration of breastfeeding. International Journal of Nursing Practice DOI:10.1111/ijn.12633

Mc Loughlin, G. (2017) Kangaroo mother care to reduce morbidity and mortality in low birth weight infants. International Journal of Nursing Practice. DOI:10.1111/ijn.12541.

Mc Loughlin, G. (2017) The ‘Prism’ of Maternal Attachment An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The International Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Conference, Glasgow.

Murphy, M; McLoughlin, G (2015) 'Born Too Soon: Preterm Birth in Europe: Trends, Causes and Prevention'. Entre Nous, 81 :10-12   [CORA Link] [Details]

Phelan, A; O'Connell, R; Murphy, M; McLoughlin, G; Long, O (2014) 'A contextual clinical assessment for student midwives in Ireland'. Nurse Education Today, 34 (3):292-294
  [DOI] [Details]


Murphy, MM, O Sullivan, C & Mc Loughlin, G (2012) The use of clinical skills laboratory simulated teaching environment and audio visual recording to facilitate student midwife teaching and learning Healthcare Informatics Society of Ireland 17th International Annual Conference & Scientific Symposium.

Mc Loughlin (2011) Cochrane Review. :
Pelvic Floor Muscle Training versus No Treatment, or Inactive Control Treatments, for Urinary Incontinence in Women Clinical Nurse, The Journal of Advanced Practice Nursing.


Mc Loughlin, G. (sept 2010) WHO multi-professional Patient Safety Curriculum Guide  - a contributor to the chapter–Being an effective team player.
 
   
   


 

Publications

Conference Publications

 YearPublication
(2008)27th Annual International Nursing and Midwifery Research Conference. Royal College of Surgeon¿s Ireland
McLoughlin, G; (2008) The impact of hospital amalgamation on the job attitudes of Nurses and Midwives 27th Annual International Nursing and Midwifery Research Conference. Royal College of Surgeon¿s Ireland [Details]

Editorship

 YearPublication
(2014)Effective and Safe Analgesia for Forceps Delivery.
McLoughlin, G (2014) Effective and Safe Analgesia for Forceps Delivery. Editorship [Details]

Professional Activities

Professional Associations

 AssociationFunctionFrom / To
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) RGN and RM/
Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation Member/
Royal College of Midwives Member/
American Heart Association/Neonatal Resuscitation Programme Member/
National Midwives Educators Group Member/
Midwifery e-Group Member/

Conference Contributions

 YearPublication
(2008)Confederation of Midwives 28th Triennial Congress,
McLoughlin, G; (2008) Strengthening Midwifery: The impact of the amalgamation of maternity hospitals on the job attitudes of Nurses and Midwives. [Oral Presentation], Confederation of Midwives 28th Triennial Congress, Glasgow , 04-JUN-08 - 05-JUN-08. [Details]
(2008)NAIRTL,,
McLoughlin, G. ; (2008) Education For Health Patient Partnership and Inter-professional Partnership, Amalgamation of Services ¿ A Challenge for all. [Poster Presentation], NAIRTL,, Ireland , 02-OCT-08 - 02-OCT-08. [Details]
(2008)Irish Anaestethic recovery Nurses 7th Annual Conference,
McLoughlin, G.; (2008) Hospital Amalgamation ¿ Rough Seas or Plain Sailing. [Poster Presentation], Irish Anaestethic recovery Nurses 7th Annual Conference, Limerick , 09-OCT-08 - 10-OCT-08. [Details]
(2008)8th Annual Nursing and Midwifery Research Conference, Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery UCC,
McLoughlin, G; (2008) Hospital Amalgamation ¿ Rough Seas or Plain Sailing. [Poster Presentation], 8th Annual Nursing and Midwifery Research Conference, Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery UCC, UCC , 08-OCT-08 - 08-OCT-08. [Details]
(2007)Irish Anaestethic recovery Nurses Annual Conference,,
McLoughlin, G; (2007) The Clinical Learning Environment ¿ the student nurse¿s perspective. [Poster Presentation], Irish Anaestethic recovery Nurses Annual Conference,, Kilkenny , 02-OCT-07 - 03-OCT-07. [Details]
(2007)First International Conference for Nursing and Midwifery,
McLoughlin, G; (2007) `Building and Promoting Excellence in Practice¿. The Clinical Learning Environment ¿ the student nurse¿s perspective. [Poster Presentation], First International Conference for Nursing and Midwifery, NUI Galway , 04-APR-07 - 04-APR-07. [Details]
(2007)26th Annual International Nursing and Midwifery Research Conference. Royal College of Surgeon¿s Ireland,
McLoughlin, G; (2007) Information and Qualtiy in Healthcare, Challenges for Nursing and Midwifery Research, Practice and Education into the Future.¿ The Undergraduate Student Nurse Perspective of the Clinical Learning Environment. [Poster Presentation], 26th Annual International Nursing and Midwifery Research Conference. Royal College of Surgeon¿s Ireland, Dublin , 26-FEB-07 - 26-JUN-07. [Details]
(2007)First International Conference for Nursing and Midwifery,
McLoughlin, G. ; (2007) Building and Promoting Excellence in Practice¿. Waterbirth: Soothing the Ripples. [Oral Presentation], First International Conference for Nursing and Midwifery, NUI Galway , 05-APR-07 - 05-APR-07. [Details]
(2006)Ireland¿s Annual Joint Midwifery Conference (Irish Nurses Organisation and the Royal College of Midwifery),
McLoughlin, G. ; (2006) The Undergraduate Student Nurse Perspective of the Clinical Learning Environment. [Poster Presentation], Ireland¿s Annual Joint Midwifery Conference (Irish Nurses Organisation and the Royal College of Midwifery), Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Letrim , 04-OCT-06 - 05-OCT-06. [Details]

Employment

 EmployerPositionFrom / To
Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, Brookfield Health Sciences Complex, UCC, College Rd, Cork Coordinator of Postgraduate Midwifery / Midwifery Lecturer/
College of Midwifery, St Finbarr¿s Hospital HSE South Midwife Teacher (Project Officer ¿ part-time from July 2004- July 2006)02-JUL-01 / 01-JUL-06
Cork University Hospital, HSE South Clinical Placement Co-ordinator/
Bon Secours Hospital, Cork Midwife/
AlKharj Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Clinical Midwife Manager/
Westmeath General Hospital, Mullingar Staff Nurse/ Midwife01-AUG-95 / 02-DEC-96
Hillingdon Maternity Hospital, Hillingdon, London Staff Midwife ¿ both acute and community care01-APR-94 / 31-AUG-95
Epsom and Kingston College of Midwifery, UK Student Midwife01-APR-92 / 30-APR-94
Barnet Hospital, Barnet Health Authority, London Staff Nurse ¿ Paediatric Directorate/
Barnet School of Nursing, Barnet Health Authority, London Student Nurse/

Education

 YearInstitutionQualificationSubject
2005Manchester University ¿ in association with the Royal College of Nursing MSc (Nursing)Nursing
2000University College Cork BSCNursing
1994Brunnel university, Ewell, UK Advanced Diploma in Education studies for Nurseseducation
1994Epsom and Kingston College of Midwifery, UK DIPLOMAMidwifery
1991Barnet School of Nursing, Barnet Health Authority, London CertificateNursing

Other Activities

 Description

Research Talks invited to:

The impact of hospital amalgamation on the job attitudes of Nurses and Midwives

Restructuring and amalgamation of services, a feature of healthcare organisations for decades has been associated internationally with reports of negative outcomes for the nurses and midwives affected. Some people react with fear, anxiety, anger or even depression. The reaction to news such as this may trigger emotions likened to that on hearing of a death of a loved one. It appears to follow the same pattern of denial anger, negotiation, depression and finally acceptance. Few studies were found that examined the psychological and emotional implications associated with job attitudes and satisfaction of nurses and midwives during and following amalgamation of hospitals.
The aim of this study was to describe the impact of hospital amalgamation on the job attitudes and job satisfaction of Nurses and Midwives by comparing the job attitudes of staff at the beginning on the amalgamation process and again six months after the amalgamation. Also, to determine those factors that influence job attitudes in an amalgamation context.
A self report questionnaire was utilised to gather data from all nursing and midwifery staff employed in the hospitals affected by the Amalgamation of Midwifery Services to the new purpose built maternity hospital. The study commenced in March 2007 and was completed in early 2008.
Data was analysed using the statistical package SPSS. Ethical Approval was granted.
Findings though alarming and disappointing, yielded results that are similar to those mentioned in literature, such as a decrease in job satisfaction due to increased workloads, leading to emotional exhaustion for staff. Decreased organisational commitment and trust leading to feelings of burnout compared with the pre-amalgamation period.

This study provides strong evidence for the vital role that organisational support plays in an amalgamation process, and how well employees adjust to change. A follow up study is proposed.

This Research was self funding
Research Meeting, CUMH 5-Nov 2008

 

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School of Nursing and Midwifery

Scoil an Altranais agus an Chnáimhseachais

Brookfield Health Sciences Complex College Road Cork, Ireland , T12 AK54

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