title: Factors affecting acquisition of psychomotor clinical skills by student nurses and midwives in CHAM Nursing Colleges in Malawi: A qualitative exploratory study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acquisition of psychomotor clinical skills has been shown to improve the quality of care provided to patients when care providers are competent. The aim of this study was to explore students, nurses and tutors experience on factors affecting acquisition of psychomotor clinical skills.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study employed an exploratory qualitative research design. The population was students, clinical nurses and tutors from a nursing College and mission hospital in the southern region of Malawi. In depth interviews using a semi structured guide was used to collect data. Thematic analysis method was employed to analyze the collected data. Ethical principles of respect of human dignity, beneficence and justice were observed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings have shown that acquisition of psychomotor skills is affected by: student motivation, lack of resources, learning environment, knowledge gap between the qualified nurses and tutors, and role modeling.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In principle when student nurses have acquired necessary skills the quality of care provided to patients improve. Basing on the findings of this study it is recommended that Student should be well prepared before clinical placement Nurses and tutors should also update their knowledge and clinical teaching skills for them to adequately guide students. The clinical arena should have adequate resources.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community and Mental Health, The Catholic University of Malawi, Limbe, Malawi.
authors.forename: Omero Gonekani
authors.initials: OG
authors.lastname: Mwale
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Nursing, St Joseph College of Nursing and Midwifery, Limbe, Malawi.
authors.forename: Roselyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kalawa
keywords: Clinical competences; Clinical skill; Clinical teaching; Nurse student; Skill acquisition in the clinical area