The experiences of last-year student midwives with High-Fidelity Perinatal Simulation training: A qualitative descriptive study.
BACKGROUND
Simulation training is a powerful and evidence-based teaching method in healthcare. It allows students to develop essential competences that are often difficult to achieve during internships. High-Fidelity Perinatal Simulation exposes them to real-life scenarios in a safe environment. Although student midwives' experiences need to be considered to make the simulation training work, these have been overlooked so far.


OBJECTIVE
To explore the experiences of last-year student midwives with High-Fidelity Perinatal Simulation training.


METHODS
A qualitative descriptive study, using three focus group conversations with last-year student midwives (n=24). Audio tapes were transcribed and a thematic content analysis was performed. The entire data set was coded according to recurrent or common themes. To achieve investigator triangulation and confirm themes, discussions among the researchers was incorporated in the analysis.


RESULTS
Students found High-Fidelity Perinatal Simulation training to be a positive learning method that increased both their competence and confidence. Their experiences varied over the different phases of the High-Fidelity Perinatal Simulation training. Although uncertainty, tension, confusion and disappointment were experienced throughout the simulation trajectory, they reported that this did not affect their learning and confidence-building.


CONCLUSIONS
As High-Fidelity Perinatal Simulation training constitutes a helpful learning experience in midwifery education, it could have a positive influence on maternal and neonatal outcomes. In the long term, it could therefore enhance the midwifery profession in several ways. The present study is an important first step in opening up the debate about the pedagogical use of High-Fidelity Perinatal Simulation training within midwifery education.
Department Health Care, Midwifery Department, Knowledge Centre Brussels Integrated Care, Erasmus University College Brussels, Brussels, Belgium. Electronic address: joeri.vermeulen@ehb.be.
Joeri
J
Vermeulen
Department Health Care, Midwifery Department, Knowledge Centre Brussels Integrated Care, Erasmus University College Brussels, Brussels, Belgium; Department Medical Sociology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium; Nursing and Midwifery Research Unit, University Hospital Brussels, Brussels, Belgium.
Katrien
K
Beeckman
Department Health Care, Midwifery Department, Knowledge Centre Brussels Integrated Care, Erasmus University College Brussels, Brussels, Belgium.
Rivka
R
Turcksin
Department Health Care, Midwifery Department, Knowledge Centre Brussels Integrated Care, Erasmus University College Brussels, Brussels, Belgium.
Lies
L
Van Winkel
Department of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital Brussels, Brussels, Belgium; Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.
Léonardo
L
Gucciardo
Department Health Care, Midwifery Department, Knowledge Centre Brussels Integrated Care, Erasmus University College Brussels, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital Brussels, Brussels, Belgium.
Monika
M
Laubach
Department Health Care, Midwifery Department, Knowledge Centre Brussels Integrated Care, Erasmus University College Brussels, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Wim
W
Peersman
Department Health Care, Midwifery Department, Knowledge Centre Brussels Integrated Care, Erasmus University College Brussels, Brussels, Belgium; Department Rehabilitation Research, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.
Eva
E
Swinnen
D000328:Adult; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008880:Midwifery / Q000193:education*; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000193:education*; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000193:education*; D011247:Pregnancy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D000066908:Simulation Training; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*
High-Fidelity Perinatal Simulation; Midwifery education; Simulation training; Student experiences; Student midwives