Health Promotion in Realtion to a Midwife
In 1946 the World Health Organisation (WHO) defined health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. This definition integrates the main concepts of health and identifies that health can be viewed differently by individuals and groups (Bowden, 2006). Health and well-being are the result of a combination of physical, social, intellectual and emotional factors (Dunkley, 2000a). The concept of health promotion has emerged with the increasing realisation in society that our health is one of our most valuable personal assets, as well as an asset for society (Crafter, 1997). The Health Promotion Agency (2008) describes health promotion as a process enabling people to exert control over the determinants of health and thereby improve their health. Similarly, the WHO identifies that health promotion involves equipping people to have more power, enabling them to make choices in regard to improving their well-being (WHO, 1984). Ewles and Simnett (2003) determine from this that the fundamental elements of health promotion are improving health, empowerment and education.
Breastfeeding is the best form of nutrition for infants and so is an important topic in the context of health promotion (Dearling, 1999). Health promotion is not an extended role of the midwife but a core competency. In its Code of Professional Conduct (2008), the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) outlines the role of the midwife to include supporting people in caring for themselves to improve and maintain their health.
Midwives must work with others to protect and promote the health and well-being of those in their care (NMC, 2008). Midwives meet and influence individual women and their families on a day-to-day basis, and can make real differences to how those people deal with health issues during their childbearing years and beyond (Crafter, 1997). Davis (2002) points out that every interaction with a woman is an opportunity to
Breastfeeding is the best form of nutrition for infants and so is an important topic in the context of health promotion (Dearling, 1999). Health promotion is not an extended role of the midwife but a core competency. In its Code of Professional Conduct (2008), the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) outlines the role of the midwife to include supporting people in caring for themselves to improve and maintain their health.
Midwives must work with others to protect and promote the health and well-being of those in their care (NMC, 2008). Midwives meet and influence individual women and their families on a day-to-day basis, and can make real differences to how those people deal with health issues during their childbearing years and beyond (Crafter, 1997). Davis (2002) points out that every interaction with a woman is an opportunity to
Bibliography: Barrowclough J. (1997) A Way Forward for the Promotion of Health through Breastfeeding RCM Midwives’ Journal 110 (1308) p.16-19 Battersby S Bright J.S. (1997) Health Promotion in Clinical Practice: Targeting the Health of the Nation London: Bailliere Tindall Crafter H Crafter H (1997) Health Promotion in Midwifery: Principles and Practice London: Arnold Cribb A Davis DK. (2002) Renewing Midwifery and Fulfilling our Potential Royal College of Midwives: Midwives’ Journal 5 (5) p.162-165 Dearling J. (1999) The Carrot and its Role in the Promotion of Breastfeeding The Practicing Midwife 2 (1) p.19-20 Dunkley- Bent J Dunkley J. (2000a) Health Promotion in Midwifery Practice: A Resource for Health Professionals Edinburgh: Bailliere Tindall Dunkley J Entwistle F. Kendall S. & Mead M. (2007) The Promotion of Breastfeeding among Low-income Women: midwives’ knowledge and attitudes following a WHO/UNICEF breastfeeding management course Evidence Based Midwifery 5 (1) p.29-34 Ewles L. & Simnett I. (2003) Promoting Health: A Practical Guide (5th Edition) London: Elsevier Science Limited Health Promotion Agency (2008) What is Health Promotion? Available at: Naidoo J. & Wills J. (2000) Health Promotion: Foundations for Practice (2nd Edition) Edinburgh: Bailliere Tindall Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) (2008) The Code: Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics for Nurses and Midwives London: NMC Perkins E. Simnett J & Wright L. (Eds) (1999) Evidence-Based Health Promotion Chichester: Wiley Piper S Royal College of Midwives (RCM) (2002) Successful Breastfeeding (3rd Edition) London: Churchill Livingstone Royal College of Midwives (RCM) (2000) Vision 2000 RCM: London Seedhouse, D (2003) Health Promotion: Philosophy, Prejudice and Practice (2nd Edition) Chichester: Wiley Tonnes K World Health Organisation. (WHO) (1946) Constitution New York: WHO