Potential of the Integrated Model of Work of Midwives for the Prevention of Social Problems and Development of New Areas of Social Work in Poland

Abstract

The text concerns the potential of the integrated model of work of midwives, implemented in Poland since 2019, to prevent social problems, including fertility problems. The analyzes contained in the article refer to the author’s research conducted using various methods, including the method of examining documents in the field of (1) professional tasks of midwives and community midwives described in the legislation regulating the working conditions of environmental midwives and (2) the model of the curriculum of education of midwives, resulting from analyzes of study programs and training standards for midwives, as well as (3) pilot studies in the midwives community, conducted by the method of individual cases (using the in-depth interview technique). The conclusions from the analyzes allow for broadening the ways of thinking about the work of a midwife in the context of the tasks of the social welfare system and pro-family policy in Poland so that it becomes an additional opportunity to support women and families in crises and contribute to reducing problems resulting from domestic violence, neglect of children, mental health problems or social problems of families.