Reviewing and analyzing the most important topics and key professional issues, this study also looks at the underpinning theory and concepts on which clinical practice must be built. It also reviews accessing information, reflective practice, cultural issues and midwifery's future.

The explosion of information in midwifery makes it hard for practitioners and students to keep up. This book reviews and analyses the most important topics and key professional issues with which midwives today must be familiar and the underpinning theory and concepts, on which clinical practice must be built. It covers core aspects of their increasingly responsible role, the scope of professional practice, ethical issues, clinical risk management, quality in midwifery and examines issues related to management, autonomy and teamwork, supervisors and managers. The book also reviews underpinning concepts which a midwife has to face in a variety of ways in practice, accessing information, reflective practice, lifelong learning, cultural issues and ways in which midwives may influence the future of their profession. Covering the crucial theoretical issues, this book looks at their application into contemporary practice. Features: * The text draws key themes in midwifery into one readable source, to help underpin contemporary midwifery practice * Accessible and practical in its approach e.g. how to access literature when seeking an evidence base * Reviews topics which students find difficult, e.g. ethics, responsibilities, clinical risk management * Written by a team of experienced practising midwives from education, hospital and community practice, and in management, supervision and research.

This book will prove incredibly useful. It will, I m sure, be a book that you dip into again and again. Make sure your library has several copies! Mary Stewart, Midwifery Lecturer, MIDIRS Midwifery Digest June 2001 Vol 11 No 2, June 2001

• Reflective writing/articulating information
• accessing information
• cultural issues in professional practice
• confronting stereotypes and prejudices
• ethical dilemmas in midwifery practice
• responsibilities and accountability
• the scope of professional practice
• autonomy and teamwork
• supervisors and managers
• quality in midwifery
• influencing the future