title: Real life narratives enhance learning about the 'art and science' of midwifery practice.
abstract: Health professional educators have long grappled with how to teach the more elusive art of practice alongside the science (a term that encompasses the sort of professional knowledge that can be directly passed on). A competent practitioner is one who knows when, how and for whom to apply knowledge and skills, thereby making the links between theory and practice. They combine art and science in such a way that integrates knowledge with insight. This participatory hermeneutic study explored the experience of teachers and students of implementing a narrative-centred curriculum in undergraduate midwifery education. It revealed that when real life narratives were central to the learning environment, students' learning about the art of midwifery practice was enhanced as they learned about midwifery decisions, reflected on their own values and beliefs and felt an emotional connection with the narrator. Further, art and science became melded together in the context specific wisdom of practice (phronesis).
authors.affiliation: Midwifery Department, AUT University, PB 92006, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand. andrea.gilkison@aut.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gilkison
authors.affiliation: Midwifery Department, AUT University, PB 92006, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Lynne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giddings
authors.affiliation: Midwifery Department, AUT University, PB 92006, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Liz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Smythe
mesh_terms: D001154:Art; D003479:Curriculum; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008880:Midwifery / Q000193:education*; D033262:Narration; D009520:New Zealand; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012586:Science; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Art and science of practice; Midwifery education; Narrative pedagogy; Narrative-centred curriculum