Midwives' motivation for continuing education

This study examined midwives' motivations for continuing their education by conducting a survey amongst a sample population of midwives, employed in 4 Health Authorities in the North West of England. The survey was carried out using a questionnaire which asked midwives to indicate the 'importance' of a series of requirements of continuing education. Of 120 midwives who received the questionnaire, 83 (69%) replied. Motivational factors included: learning for professional and personal development; fulfilling legal or statutory practice requirement, or as a social activity. The results showed that motivation for continuing education was strongest in relation to professional competence and an innate desire for knowledge. Where personal development was achieved, the emphasis was to promote professional advancement rather than social interaction. Less emphasis was placed on fulfilling the legal requirements for practice. The strongest motivators were learning orientated, which suggests that the subjects were self-directed to fulfil their needs, based on a desire to learn, this being less dependent on external motivators, which may be activated by statutory or employer requirements. Social interaction was seen as the least important aspect, although subjects found it beneficial to meet colleagues from other areas and felt that they learnt from exchanging views about various clinical practices.