Midwifery. 2025 Jul 15;149:104525. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2025.104525. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To achieve global expert consensus on the revision of Essential Competencies for Midwifery Practice 2019.
DESIGN: A six-phase process was completed using consensus methods.
PARTICIPANTS: Experts from ICM Midwives’ Associations, the ICM Board, educators, regulators, practitioners from all ICM Regions, UN Agencies and experts from global health organisations.
METHODS: A team worked closely with ICM and key stakeholders to systematically revise the ICM Essential Competencies for Midwifery Practice 2019 framework, documenting quantitative and qualitative data. The framework was updated through a literature review (phase 1), two-round validation (phase 2), translation (phase 3), Board approval (phase 4), face-validity assessment (phase 5), and final adjustments before dissemination (phase 6).
FINDINGS: The review included midwifery experts from all ICM regions and related organizations. While ICM initially aimed for a minor revision, the framework expanded from 4 to 5 categories, 31 to 37 competencies, 130 to 250 knowledge indicators, and 182 to 296 skills and behaviours indicators resulting in a major revision. The key change was adding a new category (two) on sexual and reproductive health and rights, focused on contraception, comprehensive abortion care, and gender-based violence and abuse. Four new competencies were added to category one, focusing on technology, interdisciplinary care, prescribing medications and human disasters. Minor adjustments in categories three, four and five focused on normal/physiological birth, midwifery models of care and emergency care.
CONCLUSION: The 2024 revision and update of the ICM Essential Competencies for Midwifery practice (2019) integrates current evidence, global guidance documents and expert input to reflect current midwifery practice globally.
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