A Comparative Study on Midwifery Education Accreditation Standards in Iran and Some Other Countries

Abstract

Quality midwifery education is critical to creating a decent workforce and improving mothers' and infants' health. Although international educational standards have been defined worldwide for the quality of midwifery education, there is a wide variety of types and natures of midwifery educational programs in different cultures. The purpose of this research is to compare the accreditation standards of midwifery education in Iran and other countries. This descriptive study was conducted using a comparative approach and the Beredy model, which was conducted in 2021. The inclusion criteria were program accreditation standards for midwifery undergraduate degrees and valid documents. Hospital accreditation standards, postgraduate accreditation standards, electronic and printed information that have not been approved by reputable publications, as well as reports, ideas, editorials, and views were among the exclusion criteria of this study. In this study, the standards used for midwifery accreditation in Iran and other countries and Organizations (the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, the West African Health Organization, and ICM) were compared. According to the findings, the framework of midwifery accreditation standards, the mission and objectives, curriculum, students, faculty, resources and facilities, government financial management and administrative capacity, complaints and grievance, educational governance and quality, and environmental and participatory conditions. In line with the results of this study, it is suggested that due to the conditions and facilities of the community, the necessary changes be applied in the midwifery educational program accreditation in Iran.