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Abortion-related care and the role of the midwife: a global perspective

Fullerton, Judith, Butler, Michelle M. orcid logoORCID: 0000-0002-8336-0890, Aman, Cheryl, Reid, Tobi orcid logoORCID: 0000-0003-4419-185X and Dowler, Melanie orcid logoORCID: 0000-0001-6172-0499 (2018) Abortion-related care and the role of the midwife: a global perspective. International Journal of Women's Health, 10 . pp. 751-762. ISSN 1179-1411

Abstract
Introduction: The International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) represents 132 midwifery associations in 113 countries. The ICM disseminates the Essential Competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice (EC) that describes the global scope of midwifery practice. The basic (core) and expanded (additional or optional) role of midwives in providing abortion-related care services was first described in 2010. A literature review about three items that are particularly critical to access to abortion services was conducted. Findings that emerged in the recent 2016–2017 update study about these three items are presented. Methods: A modified Delphi study was administered via the Internet in a series of three rounds. Thirty-seven statements of abortion-related knowledge and skill were presented. Results: A total of 895 individuals participated. The total of respondents across all three rounds represented 90 of the 105 member countries at the time of the study. The role of midwives in providing comprehensive abortion care, including referral for abortion and provision of postabortion family planning, achieved the necessary 85% agreement to be designated as essential (basic) knowledge or skill for the global scope of midwifery practice. The provision of medication abortion and performance of manual vacuum aspiration abortion were designated as optional for midwives who wished to provide these services. Endorsement of these latter practices was highest in both Francophone and Anglophone regions of Africa, Asian Pacific countries, and countries at a lower state of economic development. Conclusion: The role of midwives in provision of abortion-related care services was reaffirmed in the recent Delphi study to inform the update to the EC. The role of midwives as direct providers of medical and vacuum aspiration abortions was reaffirmed for those individual midwives who wish to obtain the requisite competency to provide those services, in jurisdictions where these services are legally authorized.
Metadata
Item Type:Article (Published)
Refereed:Yes
Subjects:Medical Sciences > Nursing
DCU Faculties and Centres:DCU Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Science and Health > School of Nursing, Psychotherapy & Community Health
Publisher:Dove Press (Taylor & Francis)
Official URL:https://doi.org/10.2147/IJWH.S178601
Copyright Information:© 2018 The Authors.
ID Code:29053
Deposited On:20 Sep 2023 11:52 by Vidatum Academic . Last Modified 20 Sep 2023 11:52
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