Abstract: Objective To analyze the influence of development-oriented performance appraisal on midwives' behaviors. Methods Nine midwives in our department were selected as the research object. Their performance in 2017 was assessed by evaluation-oriented method and that in 2018 by development-oriented one. Personal performance indicators related to midwifery behavior and the outcome of midwifery-related spontaneous labor in the two years were compared. Results Compared with those in 2017, the average amount of work in the department undertaken by midwives, average skill assessment results, average academic articles re-posted in Wechat platform, average attendance of academic conferences and average times of praising for nursing service increased significantly in 2018, while the occurrence of nursing quality defects decreased apparently and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the rate of postpartum hemorrhage, neonatal asphyxia and poor perineal wound healing decreased obviously, while the rate of labor analgesia increased significantly (P<0.05). Conclusion Development-oriented performance appraisal can effectively arouse midwives' work enthusiasm, promote positive behaviors, and it is evidently beneficial to the construction of midwifery discipline.

Key words: midwife, performance appraisal, development-oriented method, evaluation-oriented method, delivery room