title: Developing and piloting the multiple mini-interview in pre-registration student midwife selection in a UK setting.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Published research has demonstrated that the multiple mini-interview (MMI) is a reliable assessment instrument in medical and nursing student selection. There is a dearth of evidence specifically relating to the advancement and subsequent evaluation of MMIs in the context of student midwife selection.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To develop, pilot and examine the reliability of MMIs in pre-registration student midwife selection in a UK setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  DeVellis' framework for questionnaire development underpinned the generation of MMI scenarios. BSc (Hons) Midwifery Studies students at a Higher Education Institution in the UK volunteered to participate in 'mock' MMI circuits during the first week of their programme.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An eight station model was piloted. Communication skills were rated at each station as a generic attribute. Station specific attributes assessed included: compassion and empathy; respect for difference and diversity; honesty and integrity; intellectual curiosity and reflective nature; advocacy; respect for privacy and dignity; team working and initiative; the role of the midwife and motivation to become a midwife. Participants' responses to scenario questions were rated on a 7 point scale. Cronbach's alpha scores measuring internal consistency ranged from 0.91 to 0.97 CONCLUSION: The systematic development of the MMI model and scenarios resulted in 'excellent' reliability across all stations. These findings endorse the MMI technique as a reliable alternative to the personal interview in informing final decisions in pre-registration student midwife selection.
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Social Care, University of Surrey, United Kingdom. Electronic address: a.callwood@surrey.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Callwood
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Social Care, University of Surrey, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Debbie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cooke
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Education, Middlesex University, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Allan
mesh_terms: D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D008880:Midwifery / Q000193:education*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012570:School Admission Criteria; D013338:Students, Nursing; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Emotional intelligence; Multiple mini interviews; Recruitment; Selection; Values and attitudes