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The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM)
The American College of Nurse-Midwives launched a spectacular new website June 1st! They continue to provide ever expanding Internet services to their 6,500 members.
ACNM's Director of Member Services, John Boggess, shared these insights with us.
OBGYN.net: What is the mission of your association?
Mr. Boggess: To develop and support the profession of nurse-midwifery in order to promote the health and well-being of women and infants within their families and communities.
OBGYN.net: Please tell us about your membership.
Mr. Boggess: ACNM has 6500 members who are certified nurse-midwives (CNMs), certified midwives (CMs) or students. CNMs and CMs are educated in ACNM-accredited education programs and are certified by a national exam. They can practice in all US states and have prescriptive authority in most states.
CNMs and CMs believe that every individual has the right to safe, satisfying health care with respect for human dignity and cultural variations. ACNM further supports each person's right to self-determination, to complete information and to active participation in all aspects of care. ACNM members believe the normal processes of pregnancy and birth can be enhanced through education, health care and supportive intervention.
Midwifery care as practiced by CNMs and CMs is focused on the needs of the individual and family for physical care, emotional and social support and active involvement of significant others according to cultural values and personal preferences. The practice of midwifery by CNMs and CMs encourages continuity of care; emphasizes safe, competent clinical management; advocates non-intervention in normal processes; and promotes health education for women throughout the childbearing cycle. This practice may extend to include gynecological care of women throughout the life cycle. Such comprehensive health care is most effectively and efficiently provided by midwives in collaboration with other members of an interdependent health care team.
OBGYN.net: How are you better serving your membership with Internet Technology?
Mr. Boggess: ACNM members, like other health professionals, have crazy schedules and the Internet is an ideal medium to use for communication. Members can get the information when it's convenient for them. This Web site, e-mail and our BBS are all parts of our communication infrastructure. They are supplemented by Fax on Demand and voicemail at the national office.
OBGYN.net: Why did you decide to build a web site?
Mr. Boggess: Primarily to communicate with consumers. Even with the plethora of women's health care sites, there are not enough about midwifery care. Our goal is to fill that void and educate consumers of their choices in women's health care and how they can find those providers.
OBGYN.net: When was your site launched?
Mr. Boggess: January 1996. Our new site launched on June 1, 1997.
OBGYN.net: What has been the greatest advantage in using the Internet?
Mr. Boggess: Being able to reach people around the world, 24 hours a day. The Internet, plus our advertising campaigns and 1-888-MIDWIFE practice locator, have completely changed the way consumers learn about midwifery care. Before, it was primarily word-of-mouth.
OBGYN.net: What are the future goals of your organization on the Internet?
Mr. Boggess: We will probably add meeting registration and publication sales on the site. We will also add a members-only area soon.
John Boggess
Director of Member Services
American College of Nurse-Midwives
818 Connecticut Ave. NW Ste. 900
Washington, DC 20006
202-728-9872, 202-728-9897 (fax)
jboggess@acnm.org
http://www.midwife.org
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