Abstract
Purpose
This study clarified how to facilitate learning for midwife students acquiring knowledge of the pregnancy period and procedural techniques for prenatal checkups.
Methods
The study comprised 18 students learning midwifery in the same midwife training program (average age, 22.3 years). Students provided written, informed consent to participate in the study, and data were collected following established ethical procedures. Data consisted of students' free written responses to the question, "How did you learn about the pregnancy period?" Students studied the pregnancy period from April to July 2013, and data were collected in July 2013. Results have been analyzed qualitatively and inductively.
Results
The types of learning that midwife students engage in while studying the pregnancy period became clear. We identified two major categories of learning based on participants' responses. The first category was, "Applicable knowledge, and to solidify that knowledge," from which the following three subcategories were extracted: 1) Preparing for lessons and reviewing with a positive attitude while finding value in the content learned; 2) Recognizing gaps in knowledge and the need for basic information; and 3) Solidifying the knowledge by reviewing it. We also identified the category, "Learning to execute knowledge and techniques necessary for prenatal checkups," from which the following two subcategories were extracted: 1) Gaining the knowledge of proper examining and make an effort to understand pregnant woman oneself, and 2) Practically applying the techniques as part of real prenatal checkups.
Conclusion
The midwife students objectively self-analyzed and reflected on the process of learning about the pregnancy period. They independently prepared for lessons and reviewed with the goal of becoming a midwife in mind. In acquiring technical knowledge, they repeatedly practiced until they were able to assume confidence when applying techniques in a real setting. This study suggested that practicing midwifery techniques as a group taught the midwife students to value themselves and their group members, and motivated them to self-evaluate in order to improve their knowledge and techniques.
