Becoming a Midwife: an ethnographic investigation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Midwifery expertise: an ethnographic exploration of knowledge and skills amongst midwives in England.
IRAS ID
259222
Contact name
Rebecca Taylor
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Study title: Midwifery expertise: an ethnographic exploration of knowledge and skills amongst midwives in England.
The research aims to understand how experience of clinical practice supports the development of particular skills amongst midwives. It also seeks to understand how midwives value their own knowledge and practice, and how they feel their skills and priorities are facilitated or challenged in contemporary practice. This understanding is intended to address the ongoing shortage of midwives in the UK, and barriers to retention of staff in the NHS. In many instances, the problems with retention of staff are framed in terms of poor working conditions and low pay, often characterised by over work and a lack of resources. Whilst all this may be true, there may be more to the story. This research aims to offer a detailed and in depth examination of the experience of practicing midwifery in the NHS. The research will use observational methods and interviews to explore everyday clinical practice and midwives’ experiences. The study will examine the practice of midwives working largely in the community. It is a qualitative study lasting twelve months, and is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/NW/0281
Date of REC Opinion
11 Sep 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion