The current context of midwifery continuity of care in Japan

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K17383
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 58070:Lifelong developmental nursing-related
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Doering Keiko 京都大学, 医学研究科, 助教 (10839111)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 助産 / 継続ケア

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to explore the current context of the midwifery continuity of care (MCOC) model in Japan, using a questionnaire-based survey. The MCOC model is that a known midwife or small group of known midwives supports a woman throughout the antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal continuum. The results of the survey showed that 25.8% (107/415) of hospitals, 13.8% (41/297) of clinics, 91.3% (167/183) of midwifery homes and 35.2% (315/895) overall had provided the MCOC model in 2021 in Japan. The details of the provision of the MCOC model, such as how the MCOC model is delivered and how midwives work in the MCOC model, were also explored. Furthermore, the survey revealed the characteristics of birth facilities which provide the MCOC model and how the facilities provide the MCOC model, as well as the reasons and challenges of providing the MCOC model in Japan.

Free Research Field

助産

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、日本における助産師による産前・出産・産後の継続ケア（MCOC）の実施状況について明らかにした初めての調査である。本研究では、日本で行われているMCOCの具体的な実施方法や実施要件、MCOC実施の課題についても明らかにした。MCOCは、出産の安全やケアの質を向上させ、女性のポジティブな出産体験につながる等、妊産婦やその児にとって重要なケアモデルであることが認められており、本研究結果が、今後、日本でMCOCモデルを展開する際の重要な資料となり、日本でのMCOCの普及・拡大、ひ いては女性のポジティブな出産体験に貢献することが期待される。