Woman-centered care 2.0: Bringing the concept into focus

Fontein-Kuipers, Yvonne; De Groot, Rosa; Van Staa, Anneloes

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Woman-centered care has become a midwifery concept with implied meaning. In this paper we aim to provide a clear conceptual foundation of woman-centered care for midwifery science and practice. METHODS An advanced concept analysis was undertaken. At the outset, a systematic search of the literature was conducted in PubMed, OVID and EBSCO. This was followed by an assessment of maturity of the retrieved data. Principle-based evaluation was done to reveal epistemological, pragmatic, linguistic and logic principles, that attribute to the concept. Summative conclusions of each respective component and a detailed analysis of conceptual components (antecedents, attributes, outcomes, boundaries) resulted in a definition of woman-centered care. RESULTS Eight studies were selected for analyses. In midwifery, woman-centered care has both a philosophical and a pragmatic meaning. There is strong emphasis on the woman-midwife relationship during the childbearing period. The concept demonstrates a dual and equal focus on physical parameters of pregnancy and birth, and on humanistic dimensions in an interpersonal context. The concept is epistemological, dynamic and multi-dimensional. The results reveal the concept's boundaries and fluctuations regarding equity and control. The role of the unborn child is not incorporated in the concept. CONCLUSION An in-depth understanding and a broad conceptual foundation of woman-centered care has evolved. Now, the concept is ready for research and educational purposes as well as for practical utility.

Citation

Fontein-Kuipers, Y., De Groot, R., & Van Staa, A. (2018). Woman-centered care 2.0: Bringing the concept into focus. European Journal of Midwifery, 2, https://doi.org/10.18332/ejm/91492

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 22, 2018
• Online Publication Date: May 30, 2018
• Publication Date: 2018-05
• Deposit Date: Jan 13, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 13, 2022
• Journal: European Journal of Midwifery
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 2
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.18332/ejm/91492
• Keywords: woman-centered care, midwives, midwifery practice, advanced, Concept analysis, conceptual, Framework, care philosophy
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2833418