Empowering midwives with genetic knowledge: A systematic review of educational needs in genomics

This systematic review aims to assess the level of genetics and genomics knowledge that midwives currently have and identify educational opportunities for them.

With mainstreaming of genetics and genomics in medicine, it is necessary to upskill health care professionals to ensure the best medical care for patients. Midwives offer continuity of care to pregnant women, which now includes talking about genetic screening and testing in pregnancy.

A systematic review was conducted, guided by the Arksey and O'Malley framework for scoping reviews.

A systematic searched of Embase, PubMed, CINAHL, Medline and Scopus databases was conducted in February 2024. Full text of included studies were analysed and synthesised, with themes relevant to the study identified via meta-ethnography and narrative synthesis.

Sixteen studies were included, with diverse research questions and study types represented. Four themes emerged; 1) the low level of genetics/genomics knowledge of midwives, 2) the lack of educational opportunities available to them, 3) their understanding that genetics/genomics are critical to the care they provide and 4) their positive predisposition to further learning about genetics/genomics.

Extensive and comprehensive education in genetics/genomics is required for midwives to offer complete antenatal care to women and families and this should be embedded in midwifery educational programs.