Adopting Digital Technology in Midwifery Practice – Experiences and Perspectives From Six Projects in Eight Countries (2014 – 2016)

This paper describes the cases of six midwifery projects of the Women Observatory for eHealth at the Millennia2025 Women and Innovation Foundation, to support the adoption of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in midwifery practice in eight countries from 2014 to 2016. The WeObservatory is a digital inclusion incubator aimed at reducing maternal and neonatal mortality in countries with limited resources by strengthening midwifery practice through the access to ICTs and eHealth applications. This paper describes how the collaboration with the WeObservatory supported these projects in the development and adoption of digital solutions for midwifery practice. It examines responses from the project leaders to an online survey conducted by the WeObservatory in January of 2018. Their responses provide insights on opportunities and challenges faced by these projects that can inform future midwifery eHealth projects. Building capacity among midwives for the adoption of digital competencies will help improve the quality of healthcare provided to mothers and their newborn babies in low-income countries.