Midwifery students' education, use of, and views on complementary therapies: A cross-sectional survey

There is limited understanding of midwifery students' education, their personal use, and their views on complementary therapies.

The use of complementary therapies has grown worldwide, with women in the perinatal period among the highest users. Midwifery students, as future practitioners, have a pivotal responsibility to support women with evidence-based information to promote informed choices regarding these therapies. This study explored midwifery students' education, personal use of, and personal views on complementary therapies across four Asia-Pacific countries: Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, and Japan.

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with midwifery students from the four countries enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate program leading to registration as a midwife, who were recruited via purposive sampling. The survey included items on educational exposure, personal use, personal views toward complementary therapies, and demographics. Descriptive and statistical analyses were undertaken.

Of 291 respondents, 158 completed at least one section of the survey and were included in the analysis. Indonesian students were more likely to have completed external qualifications (p < .001) and workshops in complementary therapies, in addition to therapies embedded in their curriculum (p = .017). In contrast, Australian/New Zealand and Japanese respondents significantly exceeded Indonesian respondents in their interest in learning more about specific complementary therapies. Most students rated their personal experiences and views of complementary therapies as positive to very positive, with no significant cross-country difference.

This is the first study to explore midwifery students' education, personal use, and views on complementary therapies in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, and Japan. We found strong support for integrating complementary therapies into midwifery education. Incorporating education on complementary therapies into the undergraduate midwifery program provides students with evidence-based information, enabling them to discuss the safe use of these therapies with women in the perinatal period.