Innovations in Midwifery Education: The Academic Medical Center Model

J Midwifery Womens Health. 2019 Sep;64(5):649-656. doi: 10.1111/jmwh.12989. Epub 2019 Jul 2.

Abstract

Workforce analyses project a need for women's health care providers, especially in maternity care. With a stagnant number of certified nurse-midwife/certified midwife (CNM/CM) education programs, the present production of new CNMs/CMs is not robust enough to meet the growing demand. This article describes an existing but underutilized model for CNM/CM education programs, based in an academic medical center with an existing academic affiliation. Advantages include a federal funding source through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, lower tuition costs than most current programs, and expanded job satisfaction for CNMs/CMs in clinical practice.

Keywords: academic medical centers; interprofessional education; midwifery education; midwifery workforce; nurse-midwives.

MeSH terms

  • Academic Medical Centers*
  • Accreditation
  • Curriculum
  • Education, Nursing / economics
  • Humans
  • Massachusetts
  • Midwifery / education*
  • Models, Educational*