Criteria for the selection of experiences and content in midwifery education.
Selection of content and learning experiences for any educational endeavor is based on the aim and objectives for setting up the program, and the competencies required of graduates of the school. To exclude those experiences that will lead to skill in the management of obstetric emergencies, and at the same time expect midwives to function independently in rural communities is a negation of basic curriculum planning principles. The range of experiences available to the contemporary curriculum planner in the health field is infinite. However, due to the changing nature of societal needs in the health field, and the rapid obsolescence of previously held assumptions about health care services and the role of midwives, selection of experiences requires creativity and well defined criteria for judgment. Those suggested in this paper are validity, comprehensiveness, pattern, balance, relevance, and continuity. The six criteria are discussed to show the relevance of each to some of the current weaknesses in midwifery education in Nigeria.
Okafor
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College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu, Lagos.
D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004506:Education, Nursing; D006801:Humans; D008880:Midwifery / Q000193:education*; D009549:Nigeria