[The dilemma of the midwife--Part 2]

The author outlines the similarities and dissimilarities between nursing and midwifery and comes to the conclusion that the method of training midwives as part of the general nursing curriculum has advantages and disadvantages; advantages such as time, cost and manpower savings; disadvantages such as integrated course content, and lack of sufficient practical experience before graduating. Simulations can help with the latter, but do not provide sufficient skills to handle real situations. The author proposes post-basic midwifery internship; improved training; and broadening the functions of the midwife to include training and supervision of voluntary community workers and traditional birth attendants.