gms | German Medical Science

Background: In Germany there is no research agenda which might serve as a reference for research on midwifery care. In the long run a country specific agenda could ultimately promote evidence-based midwifery care for pregnant women, women giving birth, and (breastfeeding) mothers. However, for developing a research agenda, the priorities of users (women, couples, families) must first be explicitly assessed, so that their preferences can already be taken into account when specifying the research questions [1]. Accordingly, in future those issues of midwifery care provision, interventions, or outcomes would be studied which are in line with the needs and preferences of users. They may well be supplemented by the subjective perspective of midwives as care providers.

Aim and research question: The study will explore dominant issues regarding midwifery care and care provision in Germany. The research question is: Which preferences do users and midwives have regarding midwifery care and related research in Germany?

Methods: This qualitative explorative research study was guided by hermeneutics according to Gadamer [2]. By an iterative reflective process, which encompassed the data collection, the researchers' own perceptions as well as the analysis of focus group conversations, a deepened and broadened understanding of the "other perspective" was sought.

During the study period of 12 months, 14 focus groups were conducted in various federal states of Germany: 10 with pregnant women and mothers, 4 with midwives. Access to the sample was gained via interest groups and organisations, social networks of parents and pregnant women, individual midwives, associations of midwives, and the German Society of Midwifery Science (DGHWi). The participants were invited to the focus groups based on their personal characteristics (inclusion criteria) and a contrasting sampling technique.

In order to counteract possible bias to validity, on the one hand a heterogeneous sample was chosen and on the other hand an open minded approach in the conversation with the participants, a reflective dialogue among the research team members, and a parallel process of data collection and analysis were implemented. Reliability of the results was fostered by elaborately documenting each step in data collection, transcription, and analysis of manifest and latent content.

The ethics committee of the Medical Faculty, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, endorsed the study protocol. Each participant received 70 Euro as compensation for expenses and personal resources invested.

Results: The results of the analysis, which will be concluded in February 2016, will inform about dominant issues in the perception of users and midwives regarding midwifery care, and their relevancy for midwifery research.

The analysis to date reveals: the users focus especially on issues pertaining to access to midwifery care in pregnancy and the time after birth, the relationship with the midwife and continuity of care, as well as options of care and individual choices. Moreover, the women expressed their expectations of midwifery care, of midwives' expert knowledge and qualification, and of multi-professional collaboration in care provision.