The Expanding Role of Certified Nurse-Midwives: A Journalistic Exploration of Current Roles and Future Directions

Presentation Type

Oral and/or Visual Presentation

Presenter Major(s)

Nursing

Mentor Information

Joy Washburn, washburj@gvsu.edu

Department

Kirkhof College of Nursing

Location

Kirkhof Center 2270

Start Date

13-4-2011 2:00 PM

End Date

13-4-2011 2:30 PM

Keywords

Gender, Health and Wellness, Health, Illness, and Healing, Human Journey

Abstract

Evidence indicates midwifery care has been successful in improving health outcomes for women and babies. In 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) passed which increases access to affordable health care and includes provisions that apply to women and children. This journalistic investigation explored the roles of Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) in healthcare and the impact the ACA may have on their practice through a systematic review of literature. Practicing CNMs were interviewed to discuss their roles in healthcare and how they feel the ACA will impact these roles. Literature suggests that CNM roles are broad and include prenatal and postnatal care, gynecologic care, primary care and community care. The care CNMs provide coupled with successful health outcomes places them in a position to expand their practice under the ACA. Expansion options include developing models to increase CNMs in hospitals, encouraging the use of birth centers, and increasing CNM autonomy in gynecologic care.

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Apr 13th, 2:00 PM Apr 13th, 2:30 PM

The Expanding Role of Certified Nurse-Midwives: A Journalistic Exploration of Current Roles and Future Directions

Kirkhof Center 2270

Evidence indicates midwifery care has been successful in improving health outcomes for women and babies. In 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) passed which increases access to affordable health care and includes provisions that apply to women and children. This journalistic investigation explored the roles of Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) in healthcare and the impact the ACA may have on their practice through a systematic review of literature. Practicing CNMs were interviewed to discuss their roles in healthcare and how they feel the ACA will impact these roles. Literature suggests that CNM roles are broad and include prenatal and postnatal care, gynecologic care, primary care and community care. The care CNMs provide coupled with successful health outcomes places them in a position to expand their practice under the ACA. Expansion options include developing models to increase CNMs in hospitals, encouraging the use of birth centers, and increasing CNM autonomy in gynecologic care.