gms | German Medical Science

Background: Since the new midwifery law came into force in 2019, the academization of the midwifery profession has been implemented in Germany in the sense of a further step in the development of the whole discipline. This also implies that new University structures and processes for the education of midwives have to be established and existing ones have to be further developed. Since the study program integrates professional licensure for the midwifery profession, numerous specifics (which are regulated by federal law) must be taken into account for the curriculum. In order to be able to better accompany and communicate the associated requirements and concerns also at the level of a higher education policy, a cross-university form of organization in the sense of a representation of the midwifery study programs as well as their students and employees is necessary.

Aim: To present the significance and orientation of the Midwifery Science Faculty Association (HWFT e.V.) as a higher education policy group representing the interests of sites with midwifery science programs in the context of federal German higher education policy.

Methods: Presentation of the founding history, as well as an explanation of the structure and objectives of the HWFT e.V. In addition, a brief description of the political fields of action or necessary positioning of midwifery science in education and higher education policy is given.

Results: Since the spring of 2022, a working group consisting of seven members of the University Education Section from the DGHWi worked out the necessary goals, conditions and prerequisites for the foundation of a higher education policy interest group. A statute was prepared and all university locations (known at that time with midwifery science study programs) throughout Germany were invited to the constituent assembly. The HWFT e.V. was founded on May 15, 2023 in Berlin by 15 representatives from Universities of Applied Sciences and Universities. At the founding event, the steering committee also was elected and further steps, such as the planning of the first general meeting and the creation of a mission statement, were set in focus.

After the foundation, the notarial confirmation of the non-profit status as well as the registration in the register of associations have taken place. A logo and a homepage have been designed. Further members have joined the HWFT e.V. In addition, the foundation was made known to the professional public through publications/interviews, an initial University policy statement was drafted, and networking with department and faculty days of other health professions was initiated.

Conclusion: As a nationwide interest group of midwifery science programs, the HWFT e.V. strives for a constructive dialogue with politics, society and the higher education policy organizations of related disciplines. Furthermore, the HWFT e.V. will particularly advocate for good framework conditions and thus for the further development of the discipline of midwifery science as well as for quality assurance in studies, teaching, research and transfer. Only under excellent framework conditions, the participating universities can purposefully counteract the shortage of skilled workers in obstetrics and thus make a fitting contribution to improving the health care of women* and their families during pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and breastfeeding.

Ethics and conflicts of interest: A vote on ethics was not necessary. The research was financed by own resources. There are no conflicts of interest.