Characteristics and Outcomes of Postgraduate Midwifery Fellowships : A Mixed Methods Study

© 2024 by the American College of Nurse-Midwives..

INTRODUCTION: Postgraduate fellowships are growing in midwifery and yet are poorly understood by the profession. These fellowships are optional for midwives interested in developing advanced skills, transitioning to specialty practice, or entering or re-entering professional practice. The purpose of this study was to explore the characteristics and outcomes of US postgraduate midwifery fellowships as described by midwifery fellowship program directors.

METHODS: Postgraduate midwifery fellowship programs in the United States were identified through an environmental scan and snowball sampling. Directors of these fellowship programs were invited to complete a survey and an open-ended interview to determine their program's characteristics and outcomes. Quantitative data were summarized, and thematic analysis was used to explore the qualitative data.

RESULTS: An environmental scan and snowball sampling identified 17 postgraduate midwifery fellowship programs. Thirteen fellowship program directors completed a survey (76.5%), and 11 completed an interview (64.7%). The findings identified program characteristics, including location, structure, funding, and educational offerings, of midwifery fellowship programs. The thematic analysis revealed the emergence of 3 themes highlighting the creation of support for midwives in transition, including new graduates and practicing midwives returning to practice after a hiatus or shifting to specialty practice: (1) stepping stones, (2) empowered and equipped, and (3) innovative future. Community birth practice was defined as specialty practice by these directors.

DISCUSSION: The results of this study inform the profession of the availability of fellowships and the development of future high-quality midwifery fellowships. Postgraduate midwifery fellowships should not be required for entry to practice but have a place in the work-study opportunities available to US midwives.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2024

Erschienen:

2024

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - year:2024

Enthalten in:

Journal of midwifery & women's health - (2024) vom: 15. Feb.

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Olsen, Jessica Lyn [VerfasserIn]
Farley, Cindy L [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Fellowship
Internship
Journal Article
Midwifery
Professional practice gaps
Professional role transition
Residency

Anmerkungen:

Date Revised 15.02.2024

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status Publisher

doi:

10.1111/jmwh.13617

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM368478289