Simulation-based learning for midwives: background and pilot implementation

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Nursing Education
• Simulation-Based Learning

Background:

• Simulation-based learning offers unique advantages over traditional didactic and clinical methods in healthcare education.
• It allows for practice in rare clinical scenarios and development of leadership skills in emergencies.
• This modality aligns with constructivist learning principles, fostering skill retention and active learning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a simulation-based shoulder dystocia module for student nurse-midwives.
• To assess changes in student preparedness across cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains.
• To gather student feedback on the integration of simulation-based learning into the curriculum.

Main Methods:

• A pilot simulation-based learning module for shoulder dystocia management was implemented.
• Four student nurse-midwives participated, self-assessing preparedness before and after the simulation.
• Qualitative feedback was collected through open-ended student evaluations.

Main Results:

• Student self-assessment scores indicated potential improvement in preparedness after the simulation.
• Qualitative feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with students strongly advocating for simulation integration.
• While not statistically significant due to sample size, trends suggested enhanced learning.

Conclusions:

• Simulation-based learning is a valuable tool for certified nurse-midwife and certified midwife education.
• Further research and implementation are recommended to fully explore its potential in midwifery training.
• Simulation effectively prepares students for critical obstetric events and enhances overall competency.