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Revista Matronas

Revista Matronas

SEPTIEMBRE 2014 N° 2 Volumen 2

How are midwives seen in the 21st century?

Section: Originales

How to quote

Martínez Martín E, Macarro Ruiz D, Herrero Martín J, Llorente Prieto A. Visión de la matrona en el siglo XXI. Matronas hoy 2014; 2(2):17-26.

Authors

1Eduardo Martínez Martín, 2Dolores Macarro Ruiz, 3Javier Herrero Martín, 4Alba Llorente Prieto

Position

1 Matrón. Atención Especializada Hospital General de Segovia. 2 Matrona. Atención Especializada Hospital de Coria, Cáceres. 3 Enfermero Área de Salud de Segovia.4 Enfermera Área de Salud de Coria, Cáceres.

Contact email: edumartinez25@hotmail.com

Abstract

Purpose: to describe how is midwife role seen by Spanish women in the 21st century.
Methods: a cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire in two health care areas belonging to the provinces of Cáceres and Segovia, and a literature review was performed based on a search in the main databases.
Results: professional role of midwives is remarkably unknown regarding their professional qualifications, activities, and places where they work. Academic level of midwifes, that is, their professional expertise as well as their learning curricula and studies duration, is mostly unknown.
Few women consider midwifery to be an exclusively female profession, even when access limitation to midwifery studies based on gender was in force until 1980.
A high score is placed on professional expertise.
Most unknown activities are those belonging to the gynecology field. On the other hand, best known activities are those belonging to obstetric field. However, as a paradox, in spite of delivery care being the traditional role of midwifes, many women do not know midwifes are the healthcare workers in charge of deliveries in public hospitals. Nevertheless, most women know that when choosing a private clinic for their deliveries, a medical doctor will be in charge.
Regarding places where midwives work, most women only mentioned hospitals and maternity clinics, whereas midwives activities in teaching and/or managing areas are mostly unknown.
Midwifery professionals are well considered in the community. Most women believe midwifery is a personal vocational profession.
Discussion-conclusion: midwifery is remarkably unknown by most women. The better is midwifery known, the better is it valued. In general terms, midwifery has currently lost some social status, in spite of a higher scientific level and a more independent performance. As a professional group, both experienced and new midwives have a lot to offer to women, and our role should be continuously adjusted due to changing demands resulting from social changes and from scientific and technological developments.

Versión en Español

Título:

Visión de la matrona en el siglo XXI

Artículo completo no disponible en este idioma / Full article is not available in this language

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