Dannenfeldt, Gudrun

Gibson-van Marrewijk, Kelly

Hipkins, Rose

McHaffie, Jackie

Stewart, Jane

Stewart, Kevin

English

Wintec Research Archive

“Addressing Obstacles to Success” - What science do midwives really need in practice?Background: This is a two year project comprising: Phase One dealing with the question: Whataspects of science do newly graduated midwives really need to know in order to practisecompetently? Phase Two: How can science be taught more effectively to help students makemeaningful theory/practice links?Literature: Research from science and midwifery education, exploring perspectives of scienceeducation in midwifery programmes was reviewed. Insights emerged, demonstrating linksbetween science teaching and workplace practice. These included themes around contrastingclassroom and workplace learning; building science from practical knowledge; and rethinkingcurriculum-practice links.Aim: To improve retention and achievement rates, to find ways to include the necessary sciencewithout making this an obstacle to success by reducing the problem for all students, particularlyMäori.Methodology: Focus groups interviews explored the thoughts of the 26 midwives and gatherstories. All focus groups were audio-taped. Midwives were asked to brainstorm about the keyroles of midwives and relate stories of science use in practice.An interpretive qualitative approach was used to analysis the data. Detailed notes, the primarysource for analysis, were supplemented by audio tapes for checking accuracy and capturing richnarratives.Results: Four main areas emerged into which the practice patterns were categorised. These werecommunication, monitoring, planning and management. Another round of analysis extracted meta-themes and science.Dates: January – December 2006Conclusions: Themes from the data provided insights for reviewing the curriculum and assistedin determining the relevant science content. Educators should be mindful that practice shoulddrive teaching.Ethical Issues: Approval was gained from Wintec’s Human Ethics in Research Committee andparticipating Tertiary Education providers and District Health Boards.Funding: NZ Teaching & Learning Research Initiative Fund.

Addressing Obstacles to Success: Phase one - What science do midwives really need in practice?

http://researcharchive.wintec.ac.nz/161/1/ICM_Abstract.pdf

Addressing Obstacles to Success: Phase one - What science do midwives really need in practice?

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