Changes in perception toward student practical training by women continuously attended by student midwives

Abstract

Objective
The present study was conducted to shed light on the changes in perception toward student practical training by women continuously attended by student midwives.
Subjects and Method
Semi-structured interviews were conducted on ten women who were continuously attended by student midwives. Data was analyzed using the Grounded Theory Approach.
Results
The perception toward student practical training by women continuously attended by student midwives were markedly different at the time they received the request to participate in the student midwife practicum, at gestation, at intrapartum, and at puerperium. Participants stated at the time they received the request for participation, "I gave my consent because I wanted to cooperate with student midwifes," and "I gave my consent because I thought there might be some benefit to being attended to by a student midwife." At gestation, participants commented on benefits such as "I learned much from their health advice," and "The attitudes of those around me changed as I was being attended to by the student midwife." However, there were some who stated that "The student midwife behaved awkwardly at times." At the intrapartum period, participants who experienced natural birth made comments such as "I was surprised that the midwife conducted a pelvic examination and provided birthing assistance, but I accepted her assistance." Participants who experienced a Caesarean operation expressed comments such as "I feel sorry that the student midwife could not learn from the delivery." Impressions at the puerperium period included, "I felt that I could depend on the student midwife," with all participants indicating a certain level of trust in the student midwives. As for overall impressions of the practicum, all participants evaluated it positively, stating "I was happy that a lot of people could be involved, not just the student midwife." Regarding changes in impressions of the student midwives as they proceeded through their practicum, comments of participants fell into two distinct patterns: "We gradually opened up in the natural course of things;" and "My feelings of trust were proportionate to my uneasiness."
Conclusions
The results of the present study suggest needs to provide prior explanation of the birthing assistance provided by student midwives, as well as skill acquisition for caring for women during the gestation and puerperium periods.