In a message dated 15/12/01 6:04:50 AM AUS Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< There are many divergent paths to midwifery competency and Ina May is now a strong advocate for determining this. >> Hi all Ozmidders, I see this has been one of the major problems here in Australia where, that until 2002, there has been NO choice for aspiring midwives in how they wish to formally study midwifery, ie, professionalise their knowledge and skills. Until the development and implementation of the Bachelor of Midwifery (B Mid), there has been no 'divergent paths' to midwifery competency for aspiring midwives with entry into midwifery ONLY via a nursing qualification. It should be the prospective practitioner - should it not - who decides how they wish to enter into midwifery, ie, via a nursing qualification or by 'direct entry' via an undergraduate midwifery degree ?? The offering of alternative pathways into midiwfery practice allows for the diversity of individuals/prospective practitioners, their philosophy on midwifery etc etc....The ICM 'Definition of a Midwife' by its own declaration acknowledges that many different midwifery education programs exist, therefore, providing for the emergence of 'direct entry' midwifery education programs. Therefore ALL state legislation's should be changed to reflect/acknowledge midwifery as a discrete and separate profession to nursing and provide for a CHOICE of entry into midwifery practice. Following the start of the B Mid next year, a nursing prerequisite will remain a requirement in one or two States will it not ?? - where the respective State's legislation will still require that a midwife be educated in the two disciplines of nursing and midwifery (Qld). Changes are urgently required then to these restrictive legislation's which fail to recognise and offer an alternative pathway for aspiring midwives/lay midwives other than the current registered nurse preparation and practice prerequisite to midwifery education. This brings me to my next point of 'recognition of prior learning' and the need/importance of honouring/respecting and assessing the competencies that many lay midwives will bring in professionalising their midwifery skills and knowledge. ROPL should be an important part of this process of entering a formalised midwifery program with then, divergent methods of assessing midwifery competency. I advocate this on the premise of the ICM 'Definition of a Midwife' also, which I see in acknowledging varying/differing midwifery programs also acknowledges that there then must be multiple pathways to midwifery competency. I would argue that the very essence of the internationally accepted 'Definition of a Midwife' is "A midwife is a person who, having been regularly admitted to a midwifery education program, duly recognised in the country in which it is located," leaves open to interpretation the acknowledging of the 'lay midwife', in those countries/cultures where there is an absence of 'formal' midwifery educational programs and where midwifery is still very much a 'community' responsibility. The ICM definition of a midwife does it not - then recognise that midwifery knowledge may be attained through a variety of methods based on the core competencies relating to the specific cultural/spiritual/physical/emotional needs of the community/country where the midwife is educated/prepared/indoctinated/born/called ??????? Just some of my thoughts...... Any comments?? Yours in birth, Tina Pettigrew Birthworks Independent CBE and aspiring B.Mid Midwife. Convenor, Aust B. Mid Student Collective. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BMidStudentCollective [EMAIL PROTECTED] " As we trust the flowers to open to new life - So we can trust birth" Harriette Hartigan. ------------------------------------------------------------------- -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
