Event Title
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.
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.