The International
Confederation of Midwives believes that all women deserve the highest quality,
culturally relevant, evidence-based health services. The Confederation further
believes that all midwives have a role and a responsibility to advance the
knowledge and efficacy of midwifery, essential for the improvement in the
health of all women and childbearing families.
All midwives involved in the advancement of knowledge through research should adhere to the Confederation's most current “Guidelines for All Midwives with Regard to the Conduct of Research”.
In keeping
with the belief that research can contribute significantly to improvement in
the health of women and childbearing families, the Confederation recommends
that:
·
Midwifery
education include the theory and practical application of research so that midwives are able to
appraise, interpret and critically apply valid research findings;
·
Midwives,
where appropriate, be responsible for promoting and participating in the
design, implementation and evaluation of studies within their area of
expertise;
·
Midwives
maintain records and create/contribute to national and international data bases
on the quality, cost and effectiveness of midwifery care;
·
Research
of the childbearing cycle maintain a holistic approach that includes the
evaluation the physiological, psycho-social, cultural and spiritual aspects of
the health of women and babies;
·
Midwives
design/participate in studies that support and promote holistic care as well as
evaluating the effects of using technology as an intervention during pregnancy and
birth.
Member
associations are encouraged to adopt a similar statement or use this one to
promote the role of the midwife in research.
ICM International
Code of Ethics for Midwives (1993)
ICM Interim Statement on Guidelines for all Midwives with regard to the Conduct of Research (1998)
Supersedes ICM Statement:
Research 90/7
The Role of the Midwife in Research
93/15
Adopted by the International
Confederation of Midwives Council, Manila, May 1999.
Date for review: 2005