Learning at work and university: Midwifery students and sexual health advice

Walker, Susan and Davies, Geraldine (2013) Learning at work and university: Midwifery students and sexual health advice. Practitioner Research in Higher Education, 7 (1). pp. 63-77.

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Abstract

Concerns about the theory-practice gap and discussion regarding the role of the pre-registration programme in preparing registered health care practitioners, are two recurring themes in the literature. This study was carried out in a higher education institution in England and was conducted over a twelve month period. It examined how well the undergraduate programme in midwifery prepares student midwives to provide sexual health advice to women. Using focus groups and questionnaires the study sought the views of three consecutive cohorts of final year midwifery students. The research focused on the students’ experiences of giving advice on contraception and sexual health to women in their care and on how they responded to proposed changes in the programme. Findings indicated that students wanted more practice-based educational methods. The study suggests that a model in which theoretical knowledge is reinforced practically, with practice based scenarios and mentor emulation as staging points, would help to develop confident practice.

Item Type:	Article
Journal / Publication Title:	Practitioner Research in Higher Education
Publisher:	University of Cumbria
ISSN:	1755-1382
Related URL(s):	Publisher
Departments:	Academic Departments > Institute of Education (IOE)
Depositing User:	Linda Shore
Date Deposited:	24 Oct 2013 09:52
Last Modified:	12 Jan 2024 12:00
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/1467

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