Midwifery students' satisfaction with simulation-based education and associated factors among governmental...

Simulation is a method of learning in which the learner experiences a simulated situation instead of being physically present in the clinical area. Exposing students to simulation-based education improves learners' clinical competence and ability to make decisions, which are crucial for today's health workforce. When given the proper circumstances, such as receiving feedback on their performance, having the chance for repeated practice, and having simulation as a core component of the curriculum, simulated instruction greatly aids in learning. Although previous studies have been conducted in this area, there are gaps in determining the factors related to their learning environment and design characteristics.

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 413 midwifery students in Amhara region universities from August 1-30, 2022. Study participants were selected via a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected from third and fourth-year undergraduate midwifery students through a self-administered questionnaire. Epi Data version 4.6 and Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26 were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed; a P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant in the study.

This study revealed that 84.7% (95% CI: 81.1-88.3) of midwifery students in Amhara region universities were satisfied with simulation-based education. Year of study [AOR: 2.936; 95% CI (1.531-5.631)], adequate support [AOR: 2.903; 95% CI (1.217-6.922)], availability of instructors [AOR = 2.861, 95% CI (1.078-7.591)], and provision of checklists [AOR: 2.326; 95% CI (1.143-4.734)] were found to be statistically significant variables.

This study revealed undergraduate midwifery students were more satisfied with simulation-based education compared with previous studies conducted in Ethiopia. Predictor variables such as year of study, support, instructor availability, and provision of checklists were significantly associated with student satisfaction. Hence, midwifery departments should strengthen the support given by staff, encourage their instructors to be available during simulations, improve the utilization and provision of checklists to students as much as possible.