Collaboration with Midwives

Guideline on Collaborative Learning with Midwives

(Family Practice Residency Program)

The Family Practice Postgraduate Program supports collaborative learning between family medicine residents and other health care providers.

Midwives have expertise in normal, low risk obstetrical care that would be beneficial to family medicine residents, such as: management of low risk labour and birth, alternatives to hospital care, and supporting the personal autonomy of women and their families in making decisions.

Guiding Principles:

  1. Supervision can only be provided within the licensed scope of practice.
  2. Participation of family medicine residents in care supervised by midwives must be with the patient’s informed consent.
  3. Knowledge of and respect for all team members’ skills, expertise, and responsibilities is essential.
  4. Differences in the scope of practice and referral patterns between family physicians and midwives are understood by all.
  5. The role of the resident as observer or participant, and the scope of his/her care must be understood by all health care providers and the woman.
  6. Medical situations can arise that are beyond the scope of practice of the most responsible provider (MRP), which may require consultation with or transfer of care to a licensed physician. FP Residents who plan to participate in medical care within their scope must be directly supervised by the appropriate health care professional (family physician or obstetrician) provided it is mutually agreed upon with the consulting physician, the MRP, and the woman.

Home births are within the scope of practice of a midwife

The expectations for supervision and delegated tasks while observing or providing care are no different in the home setting than in the hospital setting.

Approved by PGEC Oct 2014