Research within the field of midwifery: the monster under the bed or just an old sock?

Abstract

Research is a vital component of midwifery education, whether utilising others’ findings or conducting one's own. However, opportunities to carry out new research can be rare and are often not taken up by staff at a ward level. Lack of understanding and fear of ‘stepping out of place’, as well as organisational barriers such as workload or lack of funding, are often cited as reasons for not carrying out research. Assimilating new research into the workplace is anecdotally very slow, and the need for stronger links between midwifery research and practice remains a fundamental piece of the equation that is currently missing. A new framework encompassing midwifery practice, research and education is vital to assist in a smoother transition between them.