Developing a national standard for midwifery mentorship in Uganda

• Published in: Clinical governance Vol. 23; no. 1; pp. 81 - 94
• Main Authors: Kemp, Joy, Bannon, Elizabeth M, Mwanja, Mercy Muwema, Tebuseeke, Deusdedit
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bingley Emerald Publishing Limited 01.01.2018; Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subjects: Action research; Associations; Capacity building approach; Capacity development; Case reports; Clinical medicine; Collaboration; Councils; Intervention; Learning; Maternal child nursing; Medical personnel; Mentoring; Mentors; Midwifery; Midwifery education; Midwives; Nurses; Partnerships; Professional ethics; Professional standards; Professionals; Project evaluation; Qualitative research; Quality standards; Stakeholders; Students; Workshops; United Kingdom > UK; Uganda; Kampala Uganda; Qualitative research; Health law or regulation; Leadership; Continuous quality improvement; Health care quality; Midwifery; Maternal and child health; Organizational learning; Health Service Quality Assurance; Professional education and development
• ISSN: 2059-4631; 2059-464X
• DOI: 10.1108/IJHG-09-2017-0051

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of a national standard for midwifery mentorship in Uganda, part of a wider project which aimed to develop a model of mentorship for Ugandan midwifery using the principles of action research. It aims to stimulate debate about strengthening the capacity of a health regulatory body, midwifery twinning partnerships and the use of international health volunteer placements. Design/methodology/approach Model of mentorship for Ugandan midwifery was a 20-month project implemented by the Royal College of Midwives UK and the Uganda Private Midwives Association. Following a situational analysis, the project was structured around three action reflection cycles, participatory workshops, individual twinning relationships between UK and Ugandan midwives and peer exchange visits. The capacity of the Ugandan Nurses and Midwives Council (UNMC) to develop a standard for midwifery mentorship was assessed. A capacity building programme was then designed and implemented to develop the standard for midwifery mentorship. Findings The capacity of UNMC was increased and the standard was developed though has yet to be validated and adopted. However, this intervention may not be replicable as a stand-alone intervention because its success was inextricably linked to the wider programme activities and support structures. Originality/value This is the first paper describing midwifery twinning to strengthen the capacity of a regulatory body to develop practice standards.