Professional perspectives on external cephalic version: survey results among Polish midwives and obstetricians

The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Polish midwives and obstetricians concerning external cephalic version (ECV), with particular attention to how professional qualifications, experience, and the reference level of the healthcare facility influenced these factors across both groups.

An author-created, 22-question online survey was distributed separately to midwives and obstetricians, with each group receiving a questionnaire customized to assess their specific knowledge of ECV, professional experience, and attitudes toward the procedure.

The study included 839 participants: 378 midwives and 461 physicians. Knowledge and experience with ECV varied significantly based on work experience and the reference level of the workplace. When comparing the results between midwives and obstetricians, the median (Q1-Q3) score for correct answers on ECV was highest among obstetrics and gynecology residents (5, 3-6), while the lowest scores were seen among midwives with bachelor's degrees (2, 1-4).

The study identified significant considerable knowledge gaps regarding ECV, particularly among midwives. Educational initiatives targeting both midwives and obstetricians are recommended to encourage the greater use of ECV and potentially reduce the rates of elective cesarean sections in cases of non-cephalic fetal presentations.