Research is the second main activity at AVAG, after teaching. The department of Midwifery Science was founded in 2009, and has made its mark in the research field since then. Research staff of the department, which forms part of division VI of Amsterdam UMC, location VU University Medical Center (VUmc), study various aspects of the obstetric care of women in the Netherlands in low-risk situations. These studies make a significant contribution to the continuous improvement of the quality of midwifery and perinatal care in general.
A large number of research lines are developed at the department of Midwifery Science, with special reference to the quality, organization and accessibility of obstetric care in the Netherlands. Examples of such research projects are the Incas study, which investigates the conditions for a maternity care system, and the nationwide Deliver-study which maps the quality and organization of primary obstetric care in the Netherlands.
The contribution the department makes to the academization of tuition at AVAG is at least equally important. This effect is reinforced by the fact that many lecturers and PhD students take part in the research projects. They act as role models, and introduce research results directly into the teaching material. There are various opportunities for academically inclined students to do research themselves; they can also specialize further by taking the evidence-based practice minor.
