Effectiveness of a Decision Aid for Career Choice Among Midwifery Students: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective: This pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluated the effectiveness of a decision aid (DA), the Midwifery Student Career Guide, developed to help midwifery students make informed first workplace choices aligned with their values and work preferences. The study also assessed the feasibility of conducting a larger RCT.

Methods: First-year graduate midwifery students were randomly assigned to an intervention group (DA use) or a control group. The DA was accessed via a web link, and data were collected through two surveys. The primary outcome was measured using the 32-item Professional Identity Scale; the secondary outcome used the 7-item Satisfaction with Career Choice Scale. Change scores and effect sizes were computed to evaluate impact.

Results: Forty-seven students participated (23 in the intervention group; 24 in the control group). Intervention group participants reported favorable impressions of the DA. However, effect sizes for both outcomes were small, and no statistically significant differences were observed between groups.

Conclusion: The usefulness of the decision aid (DA) was partially supported, and the implementation of a confirmatory randomized controlled trial (RCT) was judged to be ethically and operationally feasible. However, issues related to participant selection and outcome measures need to be addressed.