Evaluation of an interdisciplinary training package supporting the implementation of midwifery units in Europe as part of the Midwifery Unit Network collaboration and partnership

BackgroundAround 4.7 million European women give birth each year. Despite the strong evidence for midwifery-led care and midwifery units, most EU countries still offer women very limited choice regarding place of birth and... [ view full abstract ]

Background

Around 4.7 million European women give birth each year. Despite the strong evidence for midwifery-led care and midwifery units, most EU countries still offer women very limited choice regarding place of birth and lead practitioner, with referral to an obstetric unit being the mainstream option. The Midwifery Unit Network (MUNet) has been promoting the implementation of midwifery units in Europe since 2016 and has been offering workshops as part of a strategy to develop midwifery capacity.

The MUNet in partnership with City University of London has facilitated three workshops in Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Italy as part of a strategy to support the implementation of midwifery-led care. The participants were interdisciplinary, including midwives, doulas, obstetricians and neonatologist.

The objectives of the evaluation were:

• to evaluate the effectiveness of the workshop for European midwives and maternity professionals in enhancing philosophy, knowledge and skills in midwifery-led care
• to develop understanding of the barriers and facilitators to implement the learning into practice
• to gather some understanding of midwifery-led settings in those European countries

Methods

An exploratory design was used. Methods included: observation of the training days, an anonymous feedback form and focus groups with the participants at the end of the training days.

Results

The overall and initial evaluation of the training indicated that the workshops were successful at renewing the participants’ confidence and motivation to promote physiological birth and a social model of maternity care. An important aspect was the establishment of a community which could support these realities towards a new model of care; participants felt supported by the network to lead the change. At present we only have a preliminary analysis which will be completed by September 2017.

Discussion and conclusion Using observation and focus groups this study gained insights into the effectiveness and value of the workshops in the Czech Repuclic, Bulgaria and Italy. This may help to guide others who hope to implement similar training to promote normality in maternity services across Europe and internationally.