Developing midwifery and complementary medicine collaboration: the potential of interprofessional education?

A higher percentage of referrals to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by midwives can be linked to their affinity with CAM. However, midwifery education does not commonly include CAM as part of the curriculum leaving potential for misinformation and unsafe practice. An approach to CAM education which encourages collaboration between all care providers is needed to ensure safe, woman-centred maternity care. Whilst a number of models have been considered in health education they are not without their limitations when aiming to promote interprofessional collaboration. It is proposed through this paper that improved communication between midwives and qualified CAM practitioners may be developed through employing the interprofessional education model. This model develops attributes for collaborative practice and improves the delivery of interprofessional care. Achieving this collaboration is vital for safe, woman-centred care for the many pregnant women accessing CAM and conventional care for their pregnancy and birth.