How do Slovenian women perceive midwifery competencies – Pilot study using the Slovenian version of midwifery profiling questionnaire (MidProQ).

• In order to achieve professional status, the public needs to admit the role of a professional group, therefore for midwifery professionalism, it is of major importance that women recognize the competencies of the midwife. • The Midwifery Profiling Questionnaire - MidProQ is a validated tool that can be used in defining the recognition of midwifery role amongst lay people. • This survey confirmed the results of former studies that women who experienced an obstetrician-led model of care find it hard to realize the potential of full scope midwifery practice. The role of the midwife is well defined and midwifery education is precisely prescribed in order that students gain all competencies that derive from the definition of midwifery profession. However in Slovenia, midwives do not practice the full scope midwifery, therefore the aim of the study was to explore whether women are aware of the role that midwives have. In order to study the lay people awareness of midwives' role and competencies, a quanitative survey was performed using the validated Midwifery Profiling Questionnaire (MidProQ), designed by a Belgium research team of midwives, adapted to Slovenian circumstances. An online survey was performed, using the software 1KA. The link to the survey was distributed amongst groups of women via social media. Snow-ball sampling was used, recruiting women via gynaecology and obstetric forums. The MidProQ is measuring the agreement of women with statements that describe competencies of midwives for prenatal, intrapartum and postnatal period. 228 fully fulfilled questionnaire were analysed with SPSS programme. Only 43% of participants felt that midwives were capable of managing an uncomplicated pregnancy independently, however they clearly state their role in uncomplicated labour (93%). Most clearly recognised role of midwives in the postnatal period was breastfeeding counselling (89%). The role of the midwife is intertwined with the competencies of the obstetrician, who majority of participants still consider more competent for managing an uncomplicated pregnancy. Participants were not aware of all the fields where midwife could practice. More has to be done that lay public will recognize the potential of full scope midwifery practice, like promoting the profession via social media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]