Statistics of independent midwives in Switzerland

Description

The Swiss Federation of Midwives (SHV/FSSF) has been recording the activities and services of independent midwives throughout Switzerland since 2005. The goal of this survey is quality assurance. This data is evaluated annually using descriptive statistics and published in an extensive report and/or a flyer. In 2009, this task was given to the Research Institute of Midwifery and Reproductive Health at ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences. During the first few years of the project, midwives entered data in specially designed Excel sheets, following which it was merged nationally. From 2012 to 2017, data collection was undertaken via a purpose-built online platform. The maintenance of this online platform was within the parameters of this project. The electronic invoicing of the services of independent midwives has been mandatory since 2018. In order to make better use of the midwives’ resources, the data collection for the statistics of independent midwives in Switzerland was restructured. All information required for billing and for statistics purposes is collected within the electronic invoicing and documentation systems. The software providers then transfer the data to ZHAW in an encrypted form via a secured service. In 2019, the data was analysed and published in the new format for the first time.