CONTINUITY, TRUST, AND PARTNERSHIP IN CONTEMPORARY MIDWIFERY CARE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22121276Keywords:
Continuity of Care, Trust, Partnership, Midwifery Care, Woman-Centered Care, Maternal HealthAbstract
Continuity, trust, and partnership are essential components in the development of contemporary, woman-centered midwifery care. This study aims to analyze the importance of continuity of care, trust within the therapeutic relationship, and the partnership between midwives and women in supporting the quality of care and health outcomes for mothers and infants. The study employs a literature review approach, integrating various scientific findings regarding models of midwifery continuity of care, therapeutic communication, the midwife-woman relationship, shared decision-making, and woman-centered care. The review findings indicate that continuity of care enhances service consistency, strengthens communication, and fosters a sense of security throughout pregnancy, labor, the immediate postpartum period, and beyond. Trust forms the foundation of a therapeutic relationship that enables women to openly express their needs and concerns and participate in care-related decision-making. Meanwhile, partnership fosters a more equitable relationship by respecting women's experiences, needs, choices, and autonomy. Integrating these three aspects can create midwifery care that is more responsive, personalized, continuous, and oriented toward women's experiences. Successful implementation requires policy support, an adequate midwifery workforce, communication competence, interprofessional coordination, and an organizational environment that supports continuity of care. Thus, strengthening continuity, trust, and partnership serves as a crucial strategy for establishing high-quality, safe, and woman-centered contemporary midwifery care.
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