Master's in midwifery: challenging the present, protecting the future? Valerie Fleming R.M., Ph.D.
Master s graduates Demonstrate knowledge and understanding that is founded upon and extends and/or enhances that typically associated with Bachelor s level, and that provides a basis or opportunity for originality in developing and/or applying ideas, often within a research context; Can apply their knowledge and understanding, and problem solving abilities in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their field of study; Source: working document on JQI meeting in Dublin on 18 October 2004 2
Master s graduates continued Can integrate knowledge and handle complexity, and formulate judgements with incomplete or limited information, but include reflecting on social and ethical responsibilities linked to application of knowledge and judgements; Can communicate their conclusions, and the knowledge and rationale underpinning these to specialist and non-specialist audiences clearly and unambiguously; Have the learning skills to allow them to continue to study in a manner that may be largely self-directed or autonomous. 3Valerie Fleming May 2012
WHO recommendations (1996) the midwife appears to be the most appropriate and cost effective type of health care provider to be assigned to the care of normal pregnancy and normal birth, including risk assessment and the recognition of complications; the midwife should be the basic health care provider in obstetrics delivering care in small health centres, in villages and at home, and perhaps also in hospitals; midwives are the most appropriate primary health care provider to be assigned to the care of normal birth. - Source: Care in Normal Birth Page 7 WHO/FRH/MSM/96.24
Challenging the present What is the situation? Is it consistent throughout Europe? What about the rest of the world? 5
Probability of survival Educated and well-trained nurses and midwives save lives Source: WHO Annual Report 2006. High Maternal Survival Child Survival Infant Survival Low Low Proportion of health workers per population High 6
What are midwives? http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid34626169001?b ckey=aq~~,aaaab_wnfdk~,fefio7pnhix_a6i71- ss4pggfdpdk7da&bclid=0&bctid=897241681001 7
What are midwives? 8
Albania Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Georgia Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Israel Italy Kazakhstan Kyrgystan Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Monaco Montenegro Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Republic of Moldova Romania Russian Federation San Marino Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Tajikistan The former Yugoslav Republic of Turkey Turkmenistan Ukraine United Kingdom Uzbekistan What is the present situation? 60 Caesarean section 50 40 30 20 10 0 Caesarean section 9
The present situation 120 100 80 60 40 Série1 Série2 20 0 10
World Health Report 2013 At the launch of the "World health report 2013: Research for universal health coverage", WHO today called on countries to continue investing in local research in order to develop a system of universal health coverage tailored to each individual country s situation. With universal health coverage, countries can help ensure that citizens obtain the health services they need without suffering financial hardship when paying for them. Source: WHO press release15 August 2013 Beijing
Master s research Much of the study undertaken for master's degrees is at the forefront of an academic or professional discipline; Students show originality in the application of knowledge, and understand how the boundaries of knowledge are advanced through research; Students deal with complex issues systematically and creatively, and show originality in tackling and solving problems. Students have qualities needed for employment that requires sound judgement, personal responsibility, and initiative in complex and unpredictable professional environments. 12
Protecting the future As midwives with Master s degrees you can: challenge current beliefs and practices, underpin your own practice with latest research, critically analyse research and develop research ideas, join an established research team, particiapte in exisitng and new research projects, Register for PhD progammes and become independent researchers. 13
European Master of Science in Midwifery HESAV, Lausanne