Home
Issues
Aim & Scope
Open Access
Editorial Board
Indexing
Supporting Midwifery Associations
Contact us
Manuscript Types
Manuscript Formatting
How to submit
Special publications and Reprints
Authorship & COI
Principles of Transparency Checklist
Publication Ethics and Publication Malpractice Statement
CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Bridging national and international midwifery regulations: A thematic analysis of Italian key documents, desk review, normative mapping, and policy analysis
1
Università di Genova, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Genova, Italy
2
McGill University, Ingram School of Nursing, Montreal, Canada
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A313
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The Italian regulatory framework for midwifery care is highly fragmented and underrepresented in international literature, despite its significant influence on the scope and autonomy of midwifery practice.
OBJECTIVES:
This study aimed to identify and map national and regional regulatory documents shaping midwifery care in Italy, and to compare three core national documents—the Code of Ethics, the Professional Profile, and the Educational Curricula—with the 2021 Professional Framework for Midwifery developed by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM).
METHODS:
A two-phase study design was used. In Phase I, a deductive thematic analysis was conducted to assess the degree of alignment between the ICM framework and the selected Italian documents. Phase II consisted of a structured desk review that identified 141 regulatory documents issued at national and regional levels, which were then analyzed according to their scope, origin, and relevance to midwifery care.
RESULTS:
The analysis revealed partial thematic convergence with the ICM framework, alongside substantial gaps concerning professional competencies, midwifery autonomy, midwifery-led models of care, and the institutional role of professional associations. The regulatory landscape appeared inconsistent across regions and lacked specificity in policies supporting midwifery-led care, particularly in sexual and reproductive health. Furthermore, linguistic ambiguity in how “midwifery” is framed in Italian legal texts reduces the profession’s visibility and distinctiveness.
CONCLUSIONS:
The study highlights the need for a clearer, more coherent regulatory system aligned with international standards. A further stage of analysis is currently underway using the Walt and Gilson (1994) policy analysis triangle to explore the content, actors, processes, and context shaping midwifery regulation. Findings from this ongoing phase will be presented at the Congress.
KEY MESSAGE:
A consistent regulatory framework aligned with ICM standards is essential to strengthen midwifery in Italy and improve care outcomes. Regulation - framework
The Italian regulatory framework for midwifery care is highly fragmented and underrepresented in international literature, despite its significant influence on the scope and autonomy of midwifery practice.
OBJECTIVES:
This study aimed to identify and map national and regional regulatory documents shaping midwifery care in Italy, and to compare three core national documents—the Code of Ethics, the Professional Profile, and the Educational Curricula—with the 2021 Professional Framework for Midwifery developed by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM).
METHODS:
A two-phase study design was used. In Phase I, a deductive thematic analysis was conducted to assess the degree of alignment between the ICM framework and the selected Italian documents. Phase II consisted of a structured desk review that identified 141 regulatory documents issued at national and regional levels, which were then analyzed according to their scope, origin, and relevance to midwifery care.
RESULTS:
The analysis revealed partial thematic convergence with the ICM framework, alongside substantial gaps concerning professional competencies, midwifery autonomy, midwifery-led models of care, and the institutional role of professional associations. The regulatory landscape appeared inconsistent across regions and lacked specificity in policies supporting midwifery-led care, particularly in sexual and reproductive health. Furthermore, linguistic ambiguity in how “midwifery” is framed in Italian legal texts reduces the profession’s visibility and distinctiveness.
CONCLUSIONS:
The study highlights the need for a clearer, more coherent regulatory system aligned with international standards. A further stage of analysis is currently underway using the Walt and Gilson (1994) policy analysis triangle to explore the content, actors, processes, and context shaping midwifery regulation. Findings from this ongoing phase will be presented at the Congress.
KEY MESSAGE:
A consistent regulatory framework aligned with ICM standards is essential to strengthen midwifery in Italy and improve care outcomes. Regulation - framework
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
