Eliciting the views of experienced midwives about the assessment of competence in midwifery.
OBJECTIVE
to investigate the views of the English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting (ENB) Professional Midwifery Advisory Network (PMAN) members about the assessment of competence in midwifery.


METHODS
initial questionnaire followed by a group discussion of a summary of the data from the completed questionnaires.


METHODS
54 PMAN midwives representing education, management, research, practice and supervision; plus six ENB Education Officers (midwifery).


RESULTS
the response rate to the questionnaires was 75%. In the group discussion the PMAN members commented particularly on: the large number of items identified as needing assessment in practice and by written work; lack of total agreement on the assessment in practice of normal delivery; differences in practitioners' perceptions of assessment; the number and range of areas to be assessed; differences in expectation of 'task' assessment versus 'holistic' assessment; lack of assessment in simulation; heavy reliance on written work in assessment.


CONCLUSIONS
the group's discussion of the questionnaire data revealed further interesting data, which added considerably to the initial analysis and overview. Some participants had misinterpreted the instructions and found that what they had filled in did not accurately reflect their beliefs about assessment. General consensus was reached on the need for a national standard or framework for assessment and more emphasis to be placed on assessing students in the practice setting whilst ensuring this includes knowledge and understanding and not merely psycho-motor skills. The major implications include effective preparation of assessors and more teacher involvement in practice to support the midwife assessors.
Worth-Butler
M M
MM
Division of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Nottingham, UK.
Fraser
D M
DM
Murphy
R J
RJ
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008008:Licensure, Nursing; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology* / Q000592:standards*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom