Embedding continuity of care into a midwifery curriculum in the Republic of Ireland: A historical context.

Maternity services in Ireland have historically been predominantly hospital-based and obstetric-led. Although evidence suggests midwifery-led care is safe and effective, its presence in Ireland continues to be limited in practice. An increase in the available models of maternity care for women has been recommended by the Department of Health in Ireland to promote a woman-centered approach. The latest requirement for midwifery students to have a continuity of care experience within their curriculum offers educators the opportunity to facilitate differing models of care prior to qualification as a registrant, providing an experience to explore midwifery philosophy in practice. The use of a case-loading model, adopted by a university in the East of Ireland in the final year of the program may be a successful way for students to gain midwifery skills as well as offering midwifery students the exposure to another model of care. Such experiences may also enhance their ability to drive and shape midwifery-led services in the future and also build midwifery workforce capacity in continuity of care models.