gms | German Medical Science

Background: There is only a few and less valid information about the nationwide-out of hospital close to home care provided by midwives in Germany [1]. Because of this lack of information, the Hessische Ministerium für Soziales und Integration commissioned the study “Midwifery care in Hesse”. Results shall show ante-, peri- and postnatal midwifery care as well as the care in early Family life in Hesse. In addition, regional differences in midwifery care will be depicted. Midwives in Hesse and women who gave birth to a child in Hesse in 2018 were initially questioned. Furthermore, future midwives in their final year of training or in their 6^th–8^th semester were surveyed concerning their future career decisions . Based on this status quo survey, a follow-up (workshops with experts from policy makers and stakeholders of the health care system) with corresponding recommendations for action will be derived as an essential success factor.

Objective: How can results of the needs analyses about midwifery care be implemented into the daily practice?

The goal is to derive final recommendations for action to improve the overall situation of midwifery care in Hesse by taking in consideration the results of the demand analyses, the surveys, by involving all decision-makers at the self-administration and the regional level of care units and also representatives of midwives and parents’ initiatives.

Method: In two expert workshops, the current situation of midwifery care in Hesse will be evaluated based on the survey and analysis results. Additionally, the results will be evaluated regarding a future perspective. Participants of the workshops are practitioners and stakeholders. Within the round table “Future program: Midwifery and obstetrical care in Hesse” [2] the verbalized recommendations of action will be further developed and discussed. At the round table all actors which are involved in the field of midwifery care can participate.

Expected Results: Based on the relevant aspects of the study results, the moderated workshops give the participants the opportunity to express their opinion about the current situation and the issues. Furthermore, they can share their expectations regarding the future of midwifery care and recommendations of action can be verbalized. On the basis of this report and the formulated recommendations of action it is the ambition to develop activities to improve the situation of midwifery care.

Impact: First comprehensive report about midwifery care in the federal state Hesse. Moreover, the participative research with health policy actors and parent initiatives will contribute the implementation of the results into the daily practice.

Conclusion: A key factor of success of the status-quo survey is the follow-up, because after the survey is closed, analysis and an evaluation of the results will follow. If possible, the results should be reviewed from different perspectives to gain a maximum of follow-up activities.

Ethics and conflicts of interest: A vote on ethics was obtained. The research was supported by external funding. There are no conflicts of interest.