Building strong foundations in leadership and management for midwifery students

Abstract

This article explores the importance of leadership and management for midwifery students in their preparation to become midwives. The article combines a review of the existing literature, reflection on the authors' experiences and feedback from midwifery students on leadership and management modules at a university in Brunei Darussalam. Leadership and management skills are essential, and a requisite for every midwife to ensure coordination of structured, safe and high-quality midwifery care. Some important leadership and management competencies include decision making, managing resources, teamwork, collaborating effectively with other healthcare professionals, delegating tasks appropriately and efficient time management. Stakeholders in midwifery education, including educational institutions, public and private healthcare systems and women using midwifery services, expect newly graduated midwives to possess these foundational leadership and management proficiencies so that they can immediately perform their duties when they begin their new role as qualified midwives.