Professional formation of midwives in Chile: Years of history

Abstract

Introduction: The study demonstrates the evolution of the training of Midwives in Chile to provide quality humanized health care to women throughout their life course in the area of sexual, reproductive and newborn health. Objective: To examine the main milestones in the formation of Midwives, advances and systematicity of the evolutionary process in Chile. Method: Publications in journals, regulations and norms from the last fifteen years of the history and development of the profession of Midwives in Chile were reviewed. The bibliographic search was conducted between March 2018 and March 2019. The databases Dialnet, PubMed/Medline, Scielo, Medwave were consulted. Results: The professional training of the Midwife constitutes the academic and continuous development necessary to face various performances. Transition was from an empirical formation as a midwife to a professional formation with the creation of the first School of Midwives of the University of Chile in 1834. Since the 18th century, the obstetric discipline began to change with a tendency towards scientific foundations: redesigned curricula, modification of entrance requirements, new schools in public and private universities. Currently, the course lasts five years, with a Bachelor's degree and professional title of Midwife/Matron. Conclusion: The Chilean midwife must be a professional with human talent and commitment to society to provide safe, respectful and quality sexual and reproductive health care to the newborn and family.