Abstract
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality of intrapartum care given by midwives as assessed by women in the postpartum period and by midwives. The conceptual framework was based on the model of quality assurance. The instruments used for assessment by the mothers were as follows: the structure variable was medical care intervention; the process variables were supportive care and assistance for daily life; the outcome variables were the mother's satisfaction with services given at delivery, satisfaction of the birth experience and the mother's experience of trauma. The instruments used for assessment by midwives were as follows: the structure variable was the length of working experience; the process variables were supportive care and monitoring care; the outcome variable was job satisfaction. Moreover, the structure variable system for providing medical care was the continuous care system and ward constitution. The subjects consisted of 367 mothers and 208 midwives in 17 different hospitals and clinics.
The result were:(1) There was a correlation between the supportive care received by mothers and that given by midwives.(2) A correlation was also found between the assistance for daily life received by mothers and the supportive care given by midwives.(3) There was a correlation between the satisfaction with services received by mothers at delivery and the supportive care given by midwives.(4) There was a relationship between the ward constitution and 5 other factors, a) medical care intervention, b) supportive care received by mothers, c) assistance for daily life, d) services at delivery and e) satisfaction of the birth experience.
