Women's knowledge, attitudes and preferences regarding the midwife and her profession in Brussels
Joeri Vermeulen
Erasmus University College Brussels
Joeri is a RM and MSc. (Ghent University) . He worked at the delivery room of the University Hospital Brussel for almost 10 years. Between 1997 and 2005 he was lecturer at Erasmus University College Brussels, since 2005 he is the head of the midwifery Department at Erasmus University College Brussels. He is responsible for the courses ‘legal and ethical aspects in midwifery’, ‘evidence based midwifery’ and ‘management and quality of care in midwifery’. Since 2008 he is guest-lecturer ‘Evidence based practice’ in the MSc. program ‘Research in Female Reproduction' at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.He is a board member of the Belgian Midwives Association and Secretary of the European Midwives Association and a member of the Education Standing Committee of the International Confederation of Midwives.His research interests are: normality in childbirth, evidence based intrapartum care, empowering the midwifery profession, international midwifery.
Abstract
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... [ view full abstract ]
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 Brussels' women 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 Brussels' 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.
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.
Authors
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Florence D'haenens
(Erasmus University College Brussels)
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Joeri Vermeulen
(Erasmus University College Brussels)
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Eva Swinnen
(Erasmus University College Brussels / Vrije Universiteit Brussel)
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Katrien Beeckman
(Vrije Universiteit Brussel)
Topic Area
Maternity Care
Session
MC-2 » Maternity Care 2 (15:00 - Wednesday, 4th November, Lecture Theatre 0.32)
Presentation Files
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