Evidence Based Midwifery: December 2009
Cecily Begley FTCD, PhD, FFNRCSI, MSc, MA, RNT, RM, RGN.
Chair of nursing and midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin
This is the second paper in a series that aims to celebrate the contribution of academic midwives to the profession.
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Abstract
The dominant model of maternity care in Ireland is one of consultant-led, hospitalised birth. A number of midwifery-led initiatives, such as ‘early transfer home’ and ‘Domino’ schemes have been introduced recently, in addition to two pilot midwifery-led units in Drogheda and Cavan.
The School of Nursing and Midwifery in Trinity College Dublin opened in 1996 and is now the largest in Ireland, with 1500 students and 110 staff. Midwifery programmes include the direct-entry BSc in midwifery, the 18-month post-registration higher diploma in midwifery and the MSc in midwifery. A number of midwives also register for MSc and PhD research degrees.
Personal reflections of the chair of nursing and midwifery in Trinity College Dublin are given, followed by an outline of the professor’s role and contribution to midwifery research and normal childbirth, and some advice to midwives contemplating a career in research. The conclusion highlights the usefulness of all research conducted by midwives, which together contribute to improving the care given to women in pregnancy and childbirth.
Key words: Professor’s role, normal childbirth, midwifery education, midwifery research, evidence-based midwifery
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