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Midwifery education in iceland: Yesterday and today
MIDWIFERYEDUCATION IN ICELAND: Yesterday and Today
Eva S. Einarsdóttir, midwife Translated
by:
Anne Hayes, SRN, SCM
ABSTRACT This paper traces the origins of midwifey in Iceland and the resulting progression of midwifey education and educational facilities to the present. The histoy and role of the Icelandic Midwives Society is also outlined.
MIDWIFE TRAINING IN ICELAND 1761-1964 education in Iceland has changed, grown, and evolved throughout its history. Its evolution has been in keeping with new developments and increased requirements in health care. In 1761, the first position of a medical doctor, that of the “State Physician.” was founded in Iceland. At that time and until 1918, Iceland was a Danish colony. In a Letter of Authorization to Dr. Bjami Pálsson, the first State Physician, the following was written concerning midwifey: Midwifey
In order that our beloved subjects in Iceland may also enjoy the services of well-trained midwives, for the preservation of human lives, a proper education should be made available in the Arts and Sciences of Midwifey. Accordingly, Dr. Pálsson made it one of his first acts as a State Physician to engage a trained midwife from Denmark to take care of the practica1 aspects of midwifery schooling in Iceland. Through that Address correspondence to: Eva S. Einarsdóttir, Digranesveg
97, 200 Kópavogi,
land.
Journal of Nurse-Midwifery
?? Vol.
Ice-
act, the systematic training of midwives had begun in Iceland, although the first Icelandic book of instruction in midwifey had been published as early as 1750. The new midwives were examined by the State Physician. Later, when the country had been divided into four medical regions, the midwives were examined by the Regional Physicians, and on occasion, by parish clergymen. Midwifery training went unchanged until 1894 when it was decreed that Icelandic midwives should graduate either from the Danish Obstetrical Institution in Copenhagen, or be examined by the teacher of obstetrics at the new Medical School in Reykjavik. In 1912, a radical advance was made when the Icelandic School of Midwifery was founded under the headmastership of the State Physician. Due to the scarcity of trained medical practitioners in Iceland and the isolation of some regions, the local midwives were often required to act both as doctor and veterinay surgeon in their respective districts. Later, with changing times and improved health care these tasks were, of course, taken over by the appropriate professionals.
28, No. 6, November/December
Copyright 0 1983 by the American College of Nurse-Midwives
1983
In the early days of midwifery training, the duration and organization of the schooling varied considerably. By 1875, the training period had reached 3 months, and when the school was founded in 1912 it was increased to 6 months. Again in 1924, training was increased to 9 months. In 1930, a turning point was made in midwifey education when the Icelandic State Hospita1 was founded in Reykjavik and the school of Midwifery moved there. The teacher of obstetrics at the Medical school became the Principal and the Senior Midwife of the hospita1 was appointed Senior Tutor. The length of the training was then increased to 1 year and in 1964 to 2 years. The only entrance requirement was a good genera1 education. MIDWIFE TRAINING IN ICELAND TODAY
In 1982, the current syllabus for the training of midwives was adopted. It is based on Scandinavian and British midwifery educational standards. Midwifey training now consists of 18 months of integrated theory and practice, which span two school 31 0091-2182/83/$03.00
years, excluding vacations. Each 9month term begins with a 4-week study black. Thereafter, the pupil attends one study day a week leaving 4 days a week for ward practice. During practica1 experience, the pupil spends time working on the Antenatal Clinic, Antenatal Ward, Delivey Ward, Postnatal Ward and Intensive Care Baby Unit. Time is also given to working with ultrasound antenatal classes, examinations, “scrubbing” for cesarian sections, and child welfare clinics. During training, the pupil is required to work a minimum of 35 weeks on the Delivey Unit and perform at least 50 deliveries. The final examinations are both practica1 and theoretical. Pupils also present several papers on appropriate subjects throughout their training period. Some of these papers are later printed in the Icelandic Midwiues Joumal. The qualified midwife is then at liberty to practice anywhere in Iceland, although Domicillay Midwifey requires sgecific permission from the District or Town Physician. Home Eùa S. Eiharsdótkir is a practicing midwife in lceland. Anne Hayes is a British midwife living in lceland.
32
deliveries, are however, comparatively rare as hospita1 confinements are preferred. Midwives take al1 normal deliveries and in the more isolated parts of the country are sometimes required to take more complicated deliveries, although in general, an obstetrician is normally present. Today, the Icelandic Midwives School is situated within the Maternity Hospita1 at the State Hospita1 in Reykjavik. The school is presided over by Professor Sigurdur S. Magnusson of the Medical College, University of Iceland. Since the autumn of 1982, the admission of pupil midwives has been limited to State Registered Nurses, thus bringing the training on a par with most European countries. Although this ruling has been enforced, it has not, as yet, been officially set down as a Midwives Society Rule. The Rules are, however, currently under review.
ICELANDIC MIDWIVES SOCIETY
The Icelandic Midwives Society was founded on May 2, 1919. The aim of the Society was to secure a salay befitting the responsibilities and education of the midwife. In October 1922, the Midwives Society published the first edition of
Journal of Nurse-Midwifery
the Midwiues Joumal. The Midwiues Joumal today consists of three editions a year containing obstetrical articles and also information on Society business. The Rules of the Midwives Society were first laid down in 1932. The present Rules date from 1933 and are greatly in need of updating. Many changes in Public Health Care have taken place since 1970 and, accordingly, the Rules of the Midwives Society are at present under review. It is the responsibility of the Midwives Society to provide refresher courses and teaching programs for its members. For example, a recent project has been the updating of ideas about antenatal classes and parent education. The Icelandic Midwives Society is an active member of the Scandinavian Midwives Society, Nordisk Jordemoder Forbund, and wil1 be the host for their 1983 conference. The Icelandic Midwives Society is also a member of the International Confederation of Midwives.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Jónsson Sigujón: Midwives in Iceland and their Education (Ljósmazorafrzeosla og lj&mzeorastétt 6 Islandi) Ljósmazbrafélag bands.
??Vol.
28, No. 6, November/‘December 1983
Eva S. Einarsdóttir, midwife Translated
by:
Anne Hayes, SRN, SCM
ABSTRACT This paper traces the origins of midwifey in Iceland and the resulting progression of midwifey education and educational facilities to the present. The histoy and role of the Icelandic Midwives Society is also outlined.
MIDWIFE TRAINING IN ICELAND 1761-1964 education in Iceland has changed, grown, and evolved throughout its history. Its evolution has been in keeping with new developments and increased requirements in health care. In 1761, the first position of a medical doctor, that of the “State Physician.” was founded in Iceland. At that time and until 1918, Iceland was a Danish colony. In a Letter of Authorization to Dr. Bjami Pálsson, the first State Physician, the following was written concerning midwifey: Midwifey
In order that our beloved subjects in Iceland may also enjoy the services of well-trained midwives, for the preservation of human lives, a proper education should be made available in the Arts and Sciences of Midwifey. Accordingly, Dr. Pálsson made it one of his first acts as a State Physician to engage a trained midwife from Denmark to take care of the practica1 aspects of midwifery schooling in Iceland. Through that Address correspondence to: Eva S. Einarsdóttir, Digranesveg
97, 200 Kópavogi,
land.
Journal of Nurse-Midwifery
?? Vol.
Ice-
act, the systematic training of midwives had begun in Iceland, although the first Icelandic book of instruction in midwifey had been published as early as 1750. The new midwives were examined by the State Physician. Later, when the country had been divided into four medical regions, the midwives were examined by the Regional Physicians, and on occasion, by parish clergymen. Midwifery training went unchanged until 1894 when it was decreed that Icelandic midwives should graduate either from the Danish Obstetrical Institution in Copenhagen, or be examined by the teacher of obstetrics at the new Medical School in Reykjavik. In 1912, a radical advance was made when the Icelandic School of Midwifery was founded under the headmastership of the State Physician. Due to the scarcity of trained medical practitioners in Iceland and the isolation of some regions, the local midwives were often required to act both as doctor and veterinay surgeon in their respective districts. Later, with changing times and improved health care these tasks were, of course, taken over by the appropriate professionals.
28, No. 6, November/December
Copyright 0 1983 by the American College of Nurse-Midwives
1983
In the early days of midwifery training, the duration and organization of the schooling varied considerably. By 1875, the training period had reached 3 months, and when the school was founded in 1912 it was increased to 6 months. Again in 1924, training was increased to 9 months. In 1930, a turning point was made in midwifey education when the Icelandic State Hospita1 was founded in Reykjavik and the school of Midwifery moved there. The teacher of obstetrics at the Medical school became the Principal and the Senior Midwife of the hospita1 was appointed Senior Tutor. The length of the training was then increased to 1 year and in 1964 to 2 years. The only entrance requirement was a good genera1 education. MIDWIFE TRAINING IN ICELAND TODAY
In 1982, the current syllabus for the training of midwives was adopted. It is based on Scandinavian and British midwifery educational standards. Midwifey training now consists of 18 months of integrated theory and practice, which span two school 31 0091-2182/83/$03.00
years, excluding vacations. Each 9month term begins with a 4-week study black. Thereafter, the pupil attends one study day a week leaving 4 days a week for ward practice. During practica1 experience, the pupil spends time working on the Antenatal Clinic, Antenatal Ward, Delivey Ward, Postnatal Ward and Intensive Care Baby Unit. Time is also given to working with ultrasound antenatal classes, examinations, “scrubbing” for cesarian sections, and child welfare clinics. During training, the pupil is required to work a minimum of 35 weeks on the Delivey Unit and perform at least 50 deliveries. The final examinations are both practica1 and theoretical. Pupils also present several papers on appropriate subjects throughout their training period. Some of these papers are later printed in the Icelandic Midwiues Joumal. The qualified midwife is then at liberty to practice anywhere in Iceland, although Domicillay Midwifey requires sgecific permission from the District or Town Physician. Home Eùa S. Eiharsdótkir is a practicing midwife in lceland. Anne Hayes is a British midwife living in lceland.
32
deliveries, are however, comparatively rare as hospita1 confinements are preferred. Midwives take al1 normal deliveries and in the more isolated parts of the country are sometimes required to take more complicated deliveries, although in general, an obstetrician is normally present. Today, the Icelandic Midwives School is situated within the Maternity Hospita1 at the State Hospita1 in Reykjavik. The school is presided over by Professor Sigurdur S. Magnusson of the Medical College, University of Iceland. Since the autumn of 1982, the admission of pupil midwives has been limited to State Registered Nurses, thus bringing the training on a par with most European countries. Although this ruling has been enforced, it has not, as yet, been officially set down as a Midwives Society Rule. The Rules are, however, currently under review.
ICELANDIC MIDWIVES SOCIETY
The Icelandic Midwives Society was founded on May 2, 1919. The aim of the Society was to secure a salay befitting the responsibilities and education of the midwife. In October 1922, the Midwives Society published the first edition of
Journal of Nurse-Midwifery
the Midwiues Joumal. The Midwiues Joumal today consists of three editions a year containing obstetrical articles and also information on Society business. The Rules of the Midwives Society were first laid down in 1932. The present Rules date from 1933 and are greatly in need of updating. Many changes in Public Health Care have taken place since 1970 and, accordingly, the Rules of the Midwives Society are at present under review. It is the responsibility of the Midwives Society to provide refresher courses and teaching programs for its members. For example, a recent project has been the updating of ideas about antenatal classes and parent education. The Icelandic Midwives Society is an active member of the Scandinavian Midwives Society, Nordisk Jordemoder Forbund, and wil1 be the host for their 1983 conference. The Icelandic Midwives Society is also a member of the International Confederation of Midwives.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Jónsson Sigujón: Midwives in Iceland and their Education (Ljósmazorafrzeosla og lj&mzeorastétt 6 Islandi) Ljósmazbrafélag bands.
??Vol.
28, No. 6, November/‘December 1983