Marketing midwifery education: findings from a survey.
OBJECTIVE
to collect information from a sample of identified customers (midwives and midwifery managers employed by health authorities and trusts) in order to develop a marketing strategy for a Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Care.


METHODS
two descriptive and analytical surveys using questionnaires.


METHODS
mid- and west Wales, UK.


METHODS
randomly selected sample of 75 midwives and census sample of eight midwifery managers working within the National Health Service.


RESULTS
quantitative and qualitative data collection methods.


CONCLUSIONS
organisations have to define, and listen carefully, to their customers and offer courses which are appropriate, related to clinical midwifery practice and have titles that accurately reflect the content. Midwives are enthusiastically committed to continuing education despite the current difficulties. Word of mouth and personal recommendation remains the most effective form of advertising. University departments of nursing and midwifery can easily become removed from clinical practice. Education assists practitioners in changing and adapting to a new order; it is also crucial in developing skills in critical thinking and analysis. New skills are needed if practice is to improve.


CONCLUSIONS
academic departments can easily become remote and out of touch with the needs of clinicians and midwifery managers. Departments must take steps to define the customer, listen carefully to what they want and make every effort to provide continuing education for midwives that is relevant, responsive, accessible and attainable. The benefits of education also must be marketed.
Hunt
S C
SC
D000328:Adult; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008389:Marketing of Health Services; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D009745:Nursing, Supervisory; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires