Abstract
Women’s knowledge, attitudes and preferences regarding the midwife and her profession in Brussels
Background
In Belgium majority of pregnant women is followed by an obstetrician. This is a result of the medical care model that is predominantly in Belgium. End user’s knowledge, attitudes and preferences regarding the first choice health care professionals are important and should be mapped.
Aim and objectives of the study
The aim of this study is to gain insight in women’s knowledge and attitudes towards midwives and their preferences regarding the first choice health care professionals for pregnancy, labor and delivery.
Method
Women were asked to fill out a standardized questionnaire. The questionnaire was based on national and European legislation of midwives responsibilities.
Because this study did not involve patients, ethical approval was not required.
Findings
Out of the 373 women, 67,8% gave 14 or more correct answers on the 27 statements.
Respondents have the best knowledge about the intrapartal tasks of the midwife, knowledge about the responsibilities of midwives in the prenatal period is not well known
Women with a higher education level and older respondents have a better knowledge about the tasks of the midwife. If the knowledge is better one will more often choose for the midwife as first choice health care professional.
Conclusion and implications
Making Belgian women better acquainted with the task of the midwife is an important step to achieve a better knowledge of the profession, and to facilitate midwife-led care.
There is a role for education in making youngsters more aware of those competences. Also national campaigns can contribute to this goal.
There is a need for further international research to identify all the efforts countries are doing and to measure the impact of those campaigns. We may suppose that a better knowledge more often leads to the choice of the midwife as a first choice health professional.
A new emphasis has arisen on the contribution of midwifery, supported by increasing evidence about outcomes and cost containment. It is internationally agreed that midwifery led care in uncompleted birth can contribute to keeping birth normal and in preventing women for unnecessary interventions during childbirth and thus promoting health and wellbeing.
This research seeks to stimulate debate and reflection about the organization of maternity services in Belgium.
Background
In Belgium majority of pregnant women is followed by an obstetrician. This is a result of the medical care model that is predominantly in Belgium. End user’s knowledge, attitudes and preferences regarding the first choice health care professionals are important and should be mapped.
Aim and objectives of the study
The aim of this study is to gain insight in women’s knowledge and attitudes towards midwives and their preferences regarding the first choice health care professionals for pregnancy, labor and delivery.
Method
Women were asked to fill out a standardized questionnaire. The questionnaire was based on national and European legislation of midwives responsibilities.
Because this study did not involve patients, ethical approval was not required.
Findings
Out of the 373 women, 67,8% gave 14 or more correct answers on the 27 statements.
Respondents have the best knowledge about the intrapartal tasks of the midwife, knowledge about the responsibilities of midwives in the prenatal period is not well known
Women with a higher education level and older respondents have a better knowledge about the tasks of the midwife. If the knowledge is better one will more often choose for the midwife as first choice health care professional.
Conclusion and implications
Making Belgian women better acquainted with the task of the midwife is an important step to achieve a better knowledge of the profession, and to facilitate midwife-led care.
There is a role for education in making youngsters more aware of those competences. Also national campaigns can contribute to this goal.
There is a need for further international research to identify all the efforts countries are doing and to measure the impact of those campaigns. We may suppose that a better knowledge more often leads to the choice of the midwife as a first choice health professional.
A new emphasis has arisen on the contribution of midwifery, supported by increasing evidence about outcomes and cost containment. It is internationally agreed that midwifery led care in uncompleted birth can contribute to keeping birth normal and in preventing women for unnecessary interventions during childbirth and thus promoting health and wellbeing.
This research seeks to stimulate debate and reflection about the organization of maternity services in Belgium.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | 16th Healthcare Interdisciplinary Research Conference |
| Subtitle of host publication | Abstractbook |
| Publication status | Published - 4 Nov 2015 |
| Event | 16th Healthcare interdisciplinary research conference - Dublin, United Kingdom Duration: 4 Nov 2015 → 5 Nov 2015 |
Conference
| Conference | 16th Healthcare interdisciplinary research conference |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| City | Dublin |
| Period | 4/11/15 → 5/11/15 |