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BMC Health Services Research

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Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article

Assessing the policy and practice impact of an international policy initiative: the State of the World’s Midwifery 2014

Authors: Kathryn Oliver, Zachary Parolin

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2018

Abstract

Background

Understanding how policies lead to changes in health systems and in practice helps policymakers and researchers to intervene more successfully. Yet identifying all the possible changes that occur as a result of a new policy is challenging not only methodologically and logistically, as limited resources are available to conduct indefinite evaluations, but also theoretically, as a complete mapping and attribution of post-hoc changes requires a full understanding of the mechanisms underpinning all change. One option is to identify possible changes across a number of policy impact domains.

Methods

Using a Policy Impact Framework, we brought together data from media, documents and interviews to identify changes to midwifery policy, practice and provision, following the launch of a new global policy initiative, the State of the World’s Midwifery (SoWMy 2014) report published in 2014. We used these identified impacts to develop a map of the mechanisms underpinning these changes.

Results

SoWMy 2014 contributed to a number of changes at national levels, including increased status of midwifery within national governments, improved curricula and training opportunities for midwives, and improved provision of and access to midwifery-led care. These contributions were attributed to SoWMy 2014 via mechanisms such as stakeholder interaction and acquisition of government support, holding national and international dissemination and training events, and a perceived global momentum around supporting midwifery provision. Policy initiatives of this kind can lead to changes in national and international policy dialogue and practice. We identify factors and mechanisms that are likely to increase the scope and scale of these changes, at contextual, national and global levels.

Conclusions

Identifying changes following a policy using a policy impact framework can help researchers and policymakers understand why policies have the effect they do. This is important information for those wishing to increase the effectiveness of future policies and interventions.

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Title: Assessing the policy and practice impact of an international policy initiative: the State of the World’s Midwifery 2014
Authors: Kathryn Oliver
Zachary Parolin
Publication date: 01-12-2018
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3294-4

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Assessing the policy and practice impact of an international policy initiative: the State of the World’s Midwifery 2014

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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