A group co-led by Saraswathi Vedam, an associate professor in UBC Division of Midwifery, has received $160,000 from the Vancouver Foundation to identify the factors that prevent or facilitate women’s use of midwifery services in British Columbia.
Vedam, along with lead co-investigator Ganga Jolicoeur, the executive director of the Midwives Association of B.C., will use a series of forums and meetings, including focus groups, to determine why use of midwives is not equally distributed across the province. Those factors include patient experience, public awareness, and regional availability.
Findings from the study will be used to develop a plan aimed at improving access to high-quality maternity services, particularly among underserved and vulnerable women. Last year, the Province of B.C. allocated funds to double enrolment in the UBC Midwifery Education Program.
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