Identification of third year midwifery skills that could benefit from simulated practice prior to clinical midwifery placements
Date
2021
Authors
Singaram, Kerry-Ann
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Abstract
Neophyte midwifery students often feel anxious and inadequate during their clinical
placements, as they are expected to perform midwifery skills as early as their first day
in the clinical environment. Midwifery educators are seeking out creative ways to
create practice opportunities for their students with regards to skills practice, and
simulation as a teaching strategy offers a learning environment for safe practice of
skills. The use of simulation in midwifery is a fairly new concept, and its future growth
is dependent upon research to provide a sound base from which it may grow and
develop to meet the needs of the students.
The purpose of the study was to identify key midwifery skills that could be taught and
practiced using simulation prior to student midwives’ clinical placements that would
better equip student midwives to manage their midwifery clinical placements. Findings
from the study could serve as a foundational basis for future midwifery simulated
programs.
The research design and method was qualitative in nature and data was collected
from focus group discussions with fourth-year student nurses and their respective
midwifery lecturers.
Clinical facilitators who are based in the clinical environment and responsible for the
training of third year midwifery students were invited to participate in the study,
however, were unable to attend. The researcher felt that, this created a limitation to
the study as they might have added additional information or a different perspective
about novice midwifery skills training.
Findings identified specific midwifery skills that could benefit from simulated practice
as well as how best skills could be practiced within facilitation of simulation in third
year midwifery practice. Summary of findings included the identification of the
following midwifery skills that participants identified as being important with regards to
simulated practice: completion of documentation; vaginal examinations; management
of second stage of labour and offering of psychological support.
IV
Participants together with the researcher gives suggestions on how best simulation
can be facilitated for developing confidence in neophyte student midwives before their
first clinical placement.
Based on the findings of the this research, recommendations were made to guide
midwifery lecturers when planning simulation activities.
Description
A research report submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Science in Nursing to the Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021