Evaluation of an educational program for midwifery students to enhance clinical judgement about perinatal abnormalities

Abstract

Purpose

Midwifery students have increasing opportunities to care for women at risk for developing perinatal abnormalities during pregnancy and labor due to their increased age at the time of pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate the new educational program targeting midwifery students to increase knowledge and enhance clinical judgement to respond high-risk pregnancies.

Methods

We developed an educational program based on the blended learning approach that combined web-learning in advance with clinical conference style and role play or simulation in class. The themes of program were premature abruption of placenta/eclampsia and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy/HELLP syndrome. Participants were 11 midwifery students in the master's course. The knowledge and self-efficacy to assess and respond to situations were measured before and just after program and four months after program. The knowledge test for premature abruption of placenta/eclampsia (9 items; 0-36 points) and the knowledge test for hypertension/HELLP syndrome (16 items; 0-64 points) were used with multiple-choice questions. In addition, the self-efficacy test for premature abruption of placenta/eclampsia (12 items; 0-93 points; α=.93) and the self-efficacy test for hypertension/HELLP syndrome (10 items; 0-40 points; α=.91) were on a 4-point Likert scale. These data were collected from November 2016 through March 2017.

Bonferroni's test was used to detect difference across multiple times. This study protocol was approved by the St. Luke's International University Research Ethics Committee.

Results

Medians of the total score of knowledge test for premature abruption of placenta/eclampsia were 12.0 points before the program, 24.0 points just after program and 20.0 points at four months after the program (p=0.007). In addition, medians of the total score of the knowledge test for pregnancy induced hypertension/HELLP syndrome increased from 24.0 points before the program to 48.0 points, and 44.0 points at four months after the program (p<0.001). The median scores of self-efficacy for premature abruption of placenta/eclampsia were 20.0 points before the program, 36.0 points just after the program and 35.0 points at four months after the program. The medians self-efficacy score before the program (15.0 points) increased just after the program (28.0 points) and remained higher four months after the program (25.0 points).

Conclusion

The educational program which we developed might be effective to increase knowledge and enhance clinical judgement after the program and keep them until 4 months after the program high.