Continuing Midwifery Education: Midwifery Encouragements of Continuing Professional Education in Profession Stage in Indonesia: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: High maternal and child morbidity and problems related to maternal and child health requires increasing the professionalism of the midwife profession through continuing education. The main competencies of midwives as service providers, educators, community leaders, managers, and decision-makers are carried out to provide midwifery services. AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine the motivation of midwives in continuing education at the professional level. METHODS: This research is qualitative research with a theoretical basis. Collecting data through focus group discussion and followed by in-depth interviews with nine midwives who are continuing their professional education four midwives education and professional organization. Analysis of the data used using fixed comparison analysis. RESULTS: The results of the qualitative analysis produced two themes, namely: internal encouragement with the sub-themes of midwives’ understanding of the body of knowledge of professional education, academic progress, self-development, professional recognition; and external encouragement with the sub-themes of career paths, policies, workplace, and professional organization. CONCLUSION: There are internal and external incentives that affect midwives who have worked to continue their education to a higher level.