Concerns about the theory-practice gap and discussion regarding the role of the preregistration programme in preparing registered health care practitioners, are two recurring themes in the literature. This study was carried out in a higher education institution in England and was conducted over a twelve month period. It examined how well the undergraduate programme in midwifery prepares student midwives to provide sexual health advice to women. Using focus groups and questionnaires the study sought the views of three consecutive cohorts of final year midwifery students.
The research focused on the students’ experiences of giving advice on contraception and sexual health to women in their care and on how they responded to proposed changes in the programme. Findings indicated that students wanted more practice based educational methods. The study suggests that a model in which theoretical knowledge is reinforced practically, with practice based scenarios and mentor emulation as staging points, would help to develop confident practice
