ABSTRACT
Problem: In 1997, the first four-year direct-entry bachelor’s midwifery program was launched in the West Bank,
oPt, followed by four similar programs at other local universities. Since then, no comprehensive evaluation has
been conducted to assess the quality or content of these programs.
Aim: To assess four-year direct-entry bachelor’s midwifery programs against the International Confederation of
Midwives (ICM) essential competencies for midwifery practice.
Methods: A cross-sectional rapid assessment of all five direct-entry bachelor’s midwifery programs in the West
Bank was conducted using a self-assessment tool comprising 92 ICM essential competencies. Data were collected
by midwifery faculty members and analyzed using frequencies and percentages for each competency category
based on the total number of assessed competencies.
Findings: Across the five midwifery programs, total competency scores ranged from 54.3 % to 68.5 %. Scores were
observed in ongoing care of women and newborns (77.8–88.9 %) and antenatal (70.6–84.4 %). Competencies
related to care during labor and birth ranged from 61.5 % to 69.2 %, while the lowest scores were in sexual and
reproductive health and rights (16.7–41.7 %).
Discussion: Findings indicate that, although midwifery programs share similar core concepts, variations and gaps

exist, particularly in competency coverage, with some deficiencies linked to limited clinical training opportu-
nities and services.

Conclusion: The assessment results should guide midwifery programs in revising curricula to integrate ICM
competencies, while faculty need training in pedagogy, evidence-based updates, and research skills; mentorship
and capacity-building are also essential for faculty, clinical instructors, and students.

العنوان

Aidah Alkaissi

الناشر

ELSEVIER

بلد الناشر

النمسا

Indexing

Scopus

معامل التأثير

None

نوع المنشور

إلكتروني فقط

المجلد

38

السنة

2025

الصفحات

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