The impact of post-registration education on midwifery practice

National guidelines require midwives to undertake effective post-registration education which is relevant to practice. However, there is minimal research investigating the impact of education on practice, most of which originates from nursing and allied professions. A small-scale phenomenological pilot study, involving four experienced midwives, was undertaken to explore their experiences and opinions regarding the impact of midwifery post-registration educational courses upon practice. The research highlighted two key areas: practical engagement in continuing professional development (CPD) and midwives' reasons for their educational choices. The midwives valued the practical relevance and applicability of CPD to practice and the use of interprofessional learning in narrowing the theory-practice gap; educational choices were affected by accessibility, flexibility, mandatory attendance, cost and conflict with employers' objectives. The study suggests further research into the impact of CPD upon midwifery practice and what factors would better engage and motivate midwives to undertake more clinically effective post-registration education.