In April 2024, NARM created a survey to assess the community support for removal of the “Continuity of Care” requirement for NARM Registered Preceptors.
Survey participants were provided with NARM’s definition of “Continuity of Care,” instructed to consider this policy change for Registered Preceptors, and asked to weigh in on whether they supported removal of the requirement. Survey participants were told this proposed policy change will not affect student requirements.
The definition of Continuity of Care in the CIB is as follows:
Continuity of Care: a minimum of five prenatals spanning at least two trimesters, the birth, including the placenta, the newborn exam, and at least two postpartum visits. Transports are not accepted for Continuity of Care births.
Invitations to participate were sent to approximately 5000 unique email addresses on the NARM mailing list. The SurveyMonkey link was available on the NARM.org website and the NARM Facebook page. Responses were collected from April 5 – May 2, 2024.
NARM received 523 responses which represents approximately 10% of CPMs, NARM Registered Preceptors, and students combined. Nearly a third of the responses were received on April 27th, the date of the targeted email.
After analysis of the data, there was slightly more support for removal of the “Continuity of Care” requirement for NARM Registered Preceptors (58% to 42%). However, when responses were analyzed by preceptor status, there were some noticeable differences between NARM Registered Preceptors and non-Preceptors.
Nearly 75% of non-preceptors supported removal of the COC requirement for NARM Registered Preceptors. This suggests that the majority of those who might be most affected (i.e. students, newer midwives, and midwives in group practices) support removal of the COC requirement. Whereas less than 51% of Registered Preceptors supported removal of the COC requirement.
Of the 523 responses, there were 178 responses from non-preceptors. This group responded that the proposed policy change would overwhelmingly be a positive change.
The comment section also yielded strong opinions on all sides, as is expected when midwives are provided with text boxes. However, it seemed that a number of midwives may have responded to the questions about the overall concept of “continuity of care” versus Continuity of Care as defined in the CIB or confused requirements for students with the proposed change for preceptors.
After consideration of all responses, the changing midwifery workforce, the need for preceptors in all settings, the recognition that most midwives are providing continuity of care by all definitions, and that some otherwise qualified midwives cannot meet the CIB definition of COC, NARM has removed the COC requirement for Registered Preceptors effective May 17, 2024.
All other requirements such as 50 births or three years beyond initial credentialing will still need to be met. This proposed policy change will not affect student requirements. CPM Applicants will still be required to submit documentation of five Continuity of Care births.
Change in Acceptable Payment Methods
Beginning September 1, 2024, all fees must be paid by credit card. For transactions made by mail, you will receive an invoice by email with a direct link for credit card payment once your application or form has been received and logged in.
NARM will no longer accept cashiers checks or money orders.
For more information —
In order to better serve our community, NARM asks that ALL emails related to any applications, testing, recertification, midwifery bridge certificate, preceptors, or verifications be directed to support@narm.org. Our new ticketing system will help us ensure timely and consistent responses.
eBlast emailed July 17, 2024