Abstract:
Background: The high maternal and neonatal deaths remain a global
concern especially in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. This is largely
attributed to the limited skilled workforce including midwives who are required to
offer quality maternal and neonatal care. Advanced Practice Midwifery (APM)
training has been highlighted as critical in achieving high-quality maternal and
neonatal care in all settings and countries. In Kenya, the APM training is at the
initial stages, having been launched in May 2022. This paper presents the results of
a literature review regarding opportunities and challenges for the APM training
and practice with a goal of availing information to any institution willing to begin
the program in Kenya and other LMICs. Methodology: A descriptive overview
was undertaken through a rapid literature review of the relevant local and
international literature to highlight the opportunities and challenges for the APM
training and practice based on the Kenyan Context. Results: The APM training and
practice has expansive opportunities such as the increased demand for quality care
and reduced cost services, supportive policies, advances in technology, profession
recognition and regularisation of the training and availability of midwives trained
at lower levels. The challenges that the APM training is likely to experience
includes; Lack of expert trainers, technological challenges, workload challenges
due to the high population in need of the services and clinical environment
challenges. Conclusion: APM training and practice has enormous opportunities
despite the challenges that may be experienced. Therefore, for any institution
preparing to start the APM training, there is need to exploit the existing
opportunities and address the likely challenges to ensure the APM training and
practice meets the desired outcomes.
