[Analyze skills and competencies in maternal and child health to drive and support change]

The purpose of this action-research is to help support the development of competencies for nineteen professionals from service units providing maternal and child health care (PMI) in the Côtes-d'Armor and to propose a frame of reference for skills developed through an analysis of their activities. In this study, the use of the self-confrontation method consists in organizing three 90 minute sequences of activity analysis, specifically to measure self-efficacy, before and after the action performed. According to socio-cognitive theory, the capacity to acquire competencies depends partly on achieving a high level of self-efficacy at work. The activity analysis led to the formulation of a reference framework of core skills and competencies assumed by and distributed to the various teams; it also led to higher scores in self-efficacy. The expected results from a managerial perspective are the remobilization of teams, collaboration between professionals, development of skills, professional autonomy and improved service quality. In the medical and social sector, activity analysis has found a new scope and field of application, with the purpose to promote professionalism and effective management of teams.