Professional Issues of Midwives: Experiences of Midwives in a Family Medicine System

• Published in: International journal of caring sciences 2019-05, Vol.12 (2), p.1-7
• Main Authors: Akarsu, Rukiye Hobek, Dogan, Aydan, Ozcan, Handan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Childrens health; Employees; Health facilities; Health sciences; Health services; Interviews; Laboratories; Maternal & child health; Midwifery education; Preventive medicine; Professionals; Qualitative research; Questionnaires; Research methodology; Responsibilities; Roles; Socialization; Studies
• ISSN: 1791-5201; 1792-037X

Background: Family health centers are the most effective places for midwives to conduct the midwifery profession and maintain their existence actively. However, as they are called family healthcare staff in family health centers with unclear tasks and responsibilities and perform secretarial and laboratory work, they cannot spare sufficient time for independent roles (these are ignored, and not included in the performance assessment) as the milestones of the midwifery profession. Midwives without any professional satisfaction have difficulties in being motivated, and their professional existence is negatively affected. Aim: This study aims to determine the views of midwives for their professional visibility as family healthcare staff. Methodology: This qualitative study was conducted by an in-depth interview technique. The interviews were planned to be conducted with all midwives as family healthcare staff; however, three midwives could not be reached, and the study was conducted with 15 midwives. The data was collected by a socio-demographic data form and a semi-structured questionnaire which was developed by researchers through literature review. One-to-one interviews, which were moderated by the researchers, lasted 30 to 35 minutes. Results: Midwives stated that they played essential roles in maternal and child health, but they were ignored by other individuals. Moreover, they stated that they were aware of their power, but the system did not support autonomous professional roles and responsibilities of the midwifery. Conclusion: It was determined that as midwives cannot fulfill their independent roles in the family medicine system, the midwifery profession has lost its primary purpose. Some arrangements may be made to provide an opportunity for midwives to just carry out the role and responsibilities of the midwifery profession in the family medicine system.