Conference Proceedings - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Trinity ...

School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin: 8 th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference
Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education & Technology: 7 th – 9 th November 2007
Conference Proceedings
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Practice Issues for Midwifery Education
Author:
Deirdre van der Putten, MSc (Hons) (Midwifery Education), BND
(Hons), Dip.NS, Dip in Nsg. Management, RM, RGN, RNT, School of
Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway.
deirdre.vanderputten@nuigalway.ie
+353 91 495602
Background and context: The practice issues for midwifery
education are fundamental to any midwifery programme. Clinical
practice experience is an important part of the development of
newly qualified midwives which can be fraught with difficulties.
Because of the increased medicalisation of childbirth (Murphy-
Lawless 1998, Begley and Devane, 2003), the heavier workload,
increased expectations by consumers, the perceived theory practice
gap and the increasing climate of litigation in obstetrics in Ireland,
clinical practice puts many demands on midwives.
Aim of the Study: The purpose of my study was to explore newly
qualified midwives’ lived experience of clinical practice with a view
to gaining a deeper understanding of their individual experiences
and as a result, to highlight the practice issues which need to be
addressed by midwifery educators.
Methodology: The study took place in the maternity department
of a large regional university college teaching hospital. A purposive
sample of six newly qualified midwives who were willing to share
their experiences was selected. A qualitative approach using
Heideggerian phenomenology was chosen for this study. Data were
collected using formal semi-structured interviews.
Analysis: Analysis and interpretation of the data were achieved
using Colaizzi’s Analysis Framework.
Summary of Key Findings: The main findings revealed six
themes that describe the meaning of clinical practice for newly
qualified midwives. These themes were as follows; the importance
of good clinical support and mentorship, living up to expectations,
dealing with the theory practice gap, need for continuous education,
feeling prepared and the reality shock of now being qualified.
Conclusion: This study is very useful in view of the recent changes
in midwifery education and highlights the practice issues for newly
qualified midwives in clinical practice. Midwifery educators need to
address these issues when preparing student midwives for
transition to practice.
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