Confidence in Swedish Midwifery students- when they are nearly qualified

BackgroundIn 2016, a multicenter study started, called COMICE- Confidence of midwifery students on selected midwifery competencies at completion of education. Participating countries are India, Sweden, UK, Uganda, Somaliland,... [ view full abstract ]

Background

In 2016, a multicenter study started, called COMICE- Confidence of midwifery students on selected midwifery competencies at completion of education. Participating countries are India, Sweden, UK, Uganda, Somaliland, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Zambia. The main question in this study is; does the Swedish midwifery education prepare students who are soon to be graduated for the new profession, do they feel confident in all the skills that should be trained and learned during their education according to ICM: s competencies.

Method A cross-sectional survey where all final-year students from 13 midwifery programs who completed the education 2016/2017 was offered to participate. Data was collected by a questionnaire that measured midwifery students self-reported assessment of confidence against four of ICM competencies antenatal (22 skills)-, intrapartum (48 skills)-, postpartum (16 skills)- and newborn (19 skills) care. It was a total response rate of 78% (n=238).

Result A comparison was done between Universities within a medical faculty and without. In universities within a medical faculty the midwifery student’s confidence was significant higher in acute management such as; perform aortic compressions. The younger midwifery students (<31 year) had significant higher confidence.

Discussion There are skills that could be improved such as: estimate fetal growth by abdominal palpation, recognize early warning signs, maternal acute illness management, estimating contractions, effectiveness and time between, perform episiotomies, assessing for lacerations. It is a lot of competencies that they need to use “hands-on “when learning and results from this study indicates that the students need more time, and maybe it is time to extend and change the midwifery education in Sweden.

Conclusion Results of this study have highlighted some midwifery competencies that need to be trained and reflected upon. Swedish midwifery students experience confidence within the normal pregnancy, childbirth, postnatal care and neonatal care, it is in complicated emergency situations they feel insecure and not confident.