Differences in midwifery practical competence during parturitional period based on possessing of Japanese ‘advanced midwives’ certification: A nationwide multicenter questionnaire survey

There are no established indicators for objectively evaluating ‘Midwifery Practice Competency During the Parturitional Period (MPC-PP)’ among Japanese midwives. Japan has implemented the ‘Clinical Ladder of Competencies for Midwifery Practice (CLoCMiP)’ Level III certification system for Advanced Midwives. This study aims to clarify differences in MPC-PP based on possession of CLoCMiP Level III certification. A self-administered questionnaire comprising 35 items using the ‘Self-Assessment Scale for MPC-PP’ was administered in 2023 among 745 midwives with at least 6 year of experience in 78 Japanese hospitals that treated vaginal births in Japan. Based on certification status, participants were classified into three groups: 386 midwives who had not yet applied (51.8%) in the unapplied group, 59 midwives who had chosen not to renew (7.9%) in the non-renewed group and 300 midwives (40.3%) in the certified group. The median overall score on the ‘Self- Assessment Scale for MPC-PP’ (35–210 points) was significantly higher in the certified group (185 points) than the unapplied (177 points) and non-renewed (179 points) groups. Certified midwives scored higher in multivariate analysis (cut-off score: 178 points; odds ratio: 1.92). In conclusion, supporting midwives in obtaining and renewing CLoCMiP Level III certification may enhance their MPC-PP.