The training of midwives to perform obstetric ultrasound scan in Africa for task shifting and extension of scope of practice: a scoping review

BMC Medical Education

Research

Khathutshelo Netshisaulu¹  Sanele Lukhele²  Roinah Nkhensani Ngunyulu²  Maurine Musie³  Fhumulani Mavis Mulaudzi³  Nombulelo Sepeng³  Rafiat Anokwuru⁴ 

[1] Department of Advanced Nursing Science, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, Republic of South Africa;Department of Nursing, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa;Department of Nursing, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa;Department of Nursing, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa;Department of Maternal and Child Health, Ilishan School of Nursing, Babcock University, Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria;

关键词: Midwifery education;    Screening and diagnostic tests;    Antenatal care;    Interprofessional collaboration;    Obstetric ultrasound scan;    Task shifting;    Extension of scope of practice;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12909-023-04647-w

 received in 2023-02-12, accepted in 2023-09-04,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

IntroductionUltrasound scan is one of the essential assessments that is crucial in the early identification of health risks during antenatal care. Its accessibility to women in low-and middle-income countries remains a serious challenge because ultrasound scans are not within the scope of practice for midwives. However, task shifting and extension of scope of practice aim to train midwives to assess pregnant women through an ultrasound scan. This paper aims to report the findings of a scoping review on the training of midwives to perform obstetric ultrasound scans in Africa.MethodsThe 6-step iterative framework for scoping reviews by Arksey and O’Malley was used to determine the extent of qualitative and quantitative evidence available on the training of midwives on obstetric ultrasound scans, which includes specifying the research question, identifying relevant studies, selecting studies, extracting and charting data, collating, summarising, and synthesising and reporting findings.ResultsA total of 12 articles from eight African countries were included in this scoping review. Three main themes and 13 sub-themes emerged and they are: obstetric ultrasound scan training, challenges experienced by midwives from task shifting and extension of scope of practice regardingobstetric ultrasound scan, and the value of task shifting and extension of scope of practice regarding obstetric ultrasound scan to midwives.DiscussionDespite the available evidence that the training of midwives on obstetric ultrasound scans is essential to ensure the accessibility of quality antenatal health services, the training of midwives on obstetric ultrasound scans in some African countries remains a serious challenge. It is evident from this scoping review results that there is a need for African countries to incorporate obstetric ultrasound scans as part of the scope of practice of midwives. Task shifting necessitates prioritising the training of midwives on the use of obstetric ultrasound scans as one of the steps towards the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal number 3 targets by 2030.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature 2023

【 图 表 】

Fig. 1