Developing a review process for Australian midwives: a report of the midwifery practice review project process

OBJECTIVE: To develop a formal, robust and transparent process that supports and enables midwives to reflect on their own midwifery practice in relation to recognised professional standards and to identify, prioritise and act upon individual professional development and learning needs for the provision of safe, high quality care to women and their families within the full scope of midwifery practice. This process was part of a national project commissioned by the Australian College of Midwives and funded by the Australian Council for Safety and Quality in Health Care and is part of the Continuing Professional Development, MidPLUS program developed by the Australian College of Midwives. APPROACH: A multi-method, staged approach was used to develop the national Midwifery Practice Review process. Data to inform the development of the Midwifery Practice Review process was collected through a literature review, workshop consultations, written submissions and the pilot testing of a draft process. Finally, a national training workshop was undertaken to train reviewers to carry out reviews and to ensure the final process was validated and was feasible and acceptable to midwives and consumers. SETTING: Maternity care settings in each state and territory throughout Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Midwives, other health professionals and consumers of midwifery care. FINDINGS: The Midwifery Practice Review process was developed through research and national consultation prior to being validated in practice. KEY CONCLUSIONS: The Midwifery Practice Review process is currently being implemented and evaluated in Australia. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The Midwifery Practice Review Project established a national validated process for assessing the ongoing competence of midwives. The resulting program helps to reinforce responsibility and accountability in the provision of quality midwifery care through safe and effective practice.