A National Survey of the Midwifery Director Role in Academic Midwifery Practices Involved in Medical Education in the United States

A survey to explore the role characteristics and key responsibilities of midwifery directors in academic practices involved in medical education in the United States was undertaken. Six key content areas were investigated: role responsibilities and characteristics, interaction with other medical divisions and committees, budgetary structure, interaction with learners, clinical schedules, and job satisfaction. A mail-based descriptive survey was distributed to 112 midwifery directors with a 56% response rate (N = 63). The results show a composite profile of academic midwifery practice directors involved in medical education that work primarily for departments of obstetrics and gynecology, are championed by the departmental chairperson, and have budgetary placement under this department. Collaboration with the residency director has not been fully realized, thereby limiting midwifery exposure and input regarding medical education, curricula changes, and access to key education committees. National changes in resident work hours had both a positive and negative impact oil the director and overall midwifery practices. Job satisfaction documents both positive and challenging aspects to the director position, and most directors felt successfully integrated with physician colleagues. J Midwifery Womens Health 2009;54:275-281 (C) 2009 by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.