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18 February 2010

Evidence based midwifery: applications in context
Edited by Helen Spiby and Jane Munro
Wiley-Blackwell
ISBN: 978-1-4051-5284-6

Reviewed by Kenda Crozier

The book begins by outlining the evolution of the evidence-based movement and the current debates around what constitutes evidence and how it should best be implemented. This useful and engagingly written outline puts into context all that follows.

There is a nice and surprising diversity of chapters covering the use of evidence in midwifery practice in not only the UK context. A wider European context is given through chapters about the experience of using evidence to inform services in the Netherlands and Greece.

The use of evidence-based practices in maternity care is subjected to a critique as a way of educating qualified midwives in the chapter by Denis Walsh and in the undergraduate curriculum through problem-based learning by Fiona McVane Phipps.

The question of how much evidence there is on which midwives can base practice is a constant thread throughout the book and Tina Lavender addresses this issue head-on by describing the way in which midwives use evidence. The suggestion about the way in which midwives can challenge guidelines rather than covertly acting to subvert them is refreshing.

Overall, the book is a useful mix that will provide something for midwives in whichever area they practice: clinical, education and supervision. Students should be directed to read it and it would have a well deserved place on undergraduate and postgraduate reading lists.


Have you read this book? What did you think?