Objective： To review the definition and scope of the practice of midwives in Sweden, Finland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia to find models and make suggestions for reforms in the midwifery poli...Objective： To review the definition and scope of the practice of midwives in Sweden, Finland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia to find models and make suggestions for reforms in the midwifery policies of China. Methods： This article reviewed the midwifery policies published by authorities, organizations, and governments of these countries and relevant literature in the databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature （CINAHL）, China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI）, and Wanfang database. Results： The definition and scope of practice of midwives in five representative countries and China were reviewed. The similarities and differences in midwifery policies among them show that most countries set standards based on the definition and scope of practice of midwives recommended by International Confederation of Midwives. Conclusions： The definition of midwives should include registration, midwifery education, and acceptance standards. The scope of practice of midwives should specify an autonomous environment, the objective of care, the period of care involved, prescribing rights, emergency treatment, and health counseling.展开更多
Purpose:To examine variations in Chinese nurses’Actual Scope of Practice(ASCOP)by educational qualifications and professional titles,and to identify regulatory gaps in competency-based role assignments within China’...Purpose:To examine variations in Chinese nurses’Actual Scope of Practice(ASCOP)by educational qualifications and professional titles,and to identify regulatory gaps in competency-based role assignments within China’s evolving healthcare system.Method:A nationwide cross-sectional study using the validated Chinese Nurses’ASCOP Questionnaire is used.Data from 1,540 nurses were analyzed through descriptive statistics,independent t-tests,one-way ANOVA,and Bonferroni correction.ASCOP scores(1–5 scale)were compared across education levels(diploma,bachelor’s,postgraduate)and titles(junior/senior).Results:The overall ASCOP score was 3.95,with significant disparities in high-complexity tasks:postgraduate nurses(4.25)and senior nurses outperformed diploma holders(3.71)and juniors(p<0.01).Low-complexity tasks showed no educational differences(p>0.05),though bachelor’s or postgraduate nurses reported higher frequencies(4.12 vs.3.89).Alarmingly,37.6%of junior nurses routinely performed high-risk procedures beyond their competency.Conclusion:A systemic mismatch exists between nurses’qualifications and assigned responsibilities,reflecting inadequate regulatory oversight.To address this,this study recommends:(1)competency-based tiered authorization systems,(2)legal framework updates aligning with China’s healthcare reforms,and(3)dynamic monitoring mechanisms.These measures could standardize practice boundaries,mitigate occupational risks,and optimize nursing workforce utilization,particularly in resource-constrained settings.展开更多
基金supported by the United Nations Population Fund who commissioned and funded this study(No.CHN08SRH-MIDWIFERY)
文摘Objective： To review the definition and scope of the practice of midwives in Sweden, Finland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia to find models and make suggestions for reforms in the midwifery policies of China. Methods： This article reviewed the midwifery policies published by authorities, organizations, and governments of these countries and relevant literature in the databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature （CINAHL）, China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI）, and Wanfang database. Results： The definition and scope of practice of midwives in five representative countries and China were reviewed. The similarities and differences in midwifery policies among them show that most countries set standards based on the definition and scope of practice of midwives recommended by International Confederation of Midwives. Conclusions： The definition of midwives should include registration, midwifery education, and acceptance standards. The scope of practice of midwives should specify an autonomous environment, the objective of care, the period of care involved, prescribing rights, emergency treatment, and health counseling.
基金Central Universities Basic Research Fund(Science,Engineering,and Medicine)of Jinan University:“Development of a Nursing Work Time Tracking System Based on the Fourth-Generation Nursing Workload Theory”(Project No.:21619326)。
文摘Purpose:To examine variations in Chinese nurses’Actual Scope of Practice(ASCOP)by educational qualifications and professional titles,and to identify regulatory gaps in competency-based role assignments within China’s evolving healthcare system.Method:A nationwide cross-sectional study using the validated Chinese Nurses’ASCOP Questionnaire is used.Data from 1,540 nurses were analyzed through descriptive statistics,independent t-tests,one-way ANOVA,and Bonferroni correction.ASCOP scores(1–5 scale)were compared across education levels(diploma,bachelor’s,postgraduate)and titles(junior/senior).Results:The overall ASCOP score was 3.95,with significant disparities in high-complexity tasks:postgraduate nurses(4.25)and senior nurses outperformed diploma holders(3.71)and juniors(p<0.01).Low-complexity tasks showed no educational differences(p>0.05),though bachelor’s or postgraduate nurses reported higher frequencies(4.12 vs.3.89).Alarmingly,37.6%of junior nurses routinely performed high-risk procedures beyond their competency.Conclusion:A systemic mismatch exists between nurses’qualifications and assigned responsibilities,reflecting inadequate regulatory oversight.To address this,this study recommends:(1)competency-based tiered authorization systems,(2)legal framework updates aligning with China’s healthcare reforms,and(3)dynamic monitoring mechanisms.These measures could standardize practice boundaries,mitigate occupational risks,and optimize nursing workforce utilization,particularly in resource-constrained settings.
