Midwives feel the strain of poor training, stress
By Cai Wenjun |
December 24, 2010, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
ABOUT 18.5 percent of local midwives say that they can't manage their jobs alone, 36.3 percent felt they can't cope with the anxiety, fear and irritability of women who are in labor and 97 percent want regular and professional training, something which is lacking across the country, a recent survey of 135 midwives serving in 13 hospitals found.
Currently there is no specific degree in midwifery in China. All midwives are students who graduated from nursing schools or medical universities and underwent short-term training for maternal and infant health care to obtain a license.
About 170,000 babies are born annually in Shanghai. Health authorities encourage natural birth - around 54 percent of pregnant women in Shanghai choose to have a cesarean section - but industry -insiders are worrying about the -quality of midwives.
"Nursing schools teach general nursing knowledge and technology without focusing on one major. Midwives need in-depth knowledge of gynecology, maternity, neonatology and psychology," said Chen Daning, from Shanghai International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, which conducted the survey.
Shanghai had midwife schools and midwife classes at some nursing schools in the past, but all such schools and classes were shut after the nation changed the medical education system and included midwifery in training for nurses.
"We just pick up students from nursing schools and provide them with training at the hospital," Chen said. "The teaching method is a traditional mentor and student practice. Young nurses follow experienced midwives to learn from them, instead of the professional and regular teaching system other health professionals receive."
In the West, becoming a midwife takes specialized training and is strictly regulated.
Officials from the Shanghai Health Bureau said the authorities have recognized the issue and will consider appropriate action.
Currently there is no specific degree in midwifery in China. All midwives are students who graduated from nursing schools or medical universities and underwent short-term training for maternal and infant health care to obtain a license.
About 170,000 babies are born annually in Shanghai. Health authorities encourage natural birth - around 54 percent of pregnant women in Shanghai choose to have a cesarean section - but industry -insiders are worrying about the -quality of midwives.
"Nursing schools teach general nursing knowledge and technology without focusing on one major. Midwives need in-depth knowledge of gynecology, maternity, neonatology and psychology," said Chen Daning, from Shanghai International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, which conducted the survey.
Shanghai had midwife schools and midwife classes at some nursing schools in the past, but all such schools and classes were shut after the nation changed the medical education system and included midwifery in training for nurses.
"We just pick up students from nursing schools and provide them with training at the hospital," Chen said. "The teaching method is a traditional mentor and student practice. Young nurses follow experienced midwives to learn from them, instead of the professional and regular teaching system other health professionals receive."
In the West, becoming a midwife takes specialized training and is strictly regulated.
Officials from the Shanghai Health Bureau said the authorities have recognized the issue and will consider appropriate action.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
