Lena Bäck1, Bharati Sharma2, Annika Karlström3, Katarina Tunon4, Ingegerd Hildingsson5. 1. Department of Nursing, Mid Sweden University, Kunskapens väg 8, 831 40 Östersund, Sweden. Electronic address: lena.back@miun.se. 2. Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India. Electronic address: bsharma@iiphg.org. 3. Department of Nursing, Mid Sweden University, Holmgatan 10, 852 30 Sundsvall, Sweden. Electronic address: annika.karlstrom@miun.se. 4. Institution for Clinical Science, Umeå University Östersunds sjukhus, kvinnosjukvården, Kyrkgatan 16, 831 50 Östersund, Sweden. Electronic address: katarina.tunon@regionjh.se. 5. Department of Nursing, Mid Sweden University, Holmgatan 10, 852 30 Sundsvall, Sweden; Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Sweden. Electronic address: ingegerd.hildingsson@miun.se.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Previous international studies have shown that midwifery students do not feel confident in many areas where they are supposed to practice independently. The knowledge about Swedish midwifery students' confidence is fairly under investigated. The purpose of the present study was to explore final years' midwifery students' professional confidence in basic midwifery skills according to ICM competencies and associated factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey where all midwifery programs in Sweden were invited to participate. Data was collected by a questionnaire that measured midwifery students self-reported assessment of confidence against four selected domains of ICM competencies; antenatal, intrapartum, postpartum and new-born care. RESULT: The main findings of this study showed that Swedish midwifery students were confident in managing normal pregnancy, labour and birth. Midwifery students at a school with a medical faculty were more confident in handling obstetric emergency situations. Some background variables were also associated with confidence. CONCLUSION: This study highlighted some midwifery skills that needs further training and reflection. More training and developing confidence in complicated and emergency situations are needed. There seem to be a need of midwifery education reforms if we believe that high levels of confidence at the time of graduation is equal to competent and skilled midwives in the future.
OBJECTIVE: Previous international studies have shown that midwifery students do not feel confident in many areas where they are supposed to practice independently. The knowledge about Swedish midwifery students' confidence is fairly under investigated. The purpose of the present study was to explore final years' midwifery students' professional confidence in basic midwifery skills according to ICM competencies and associated factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey where all midwifery programs in Sweden were invited to participate. Data was collected by a questionnaire that measured midwifery students self-reported assessment of confidence against four selected domains of ICM competencies; antenatal, intrapartum, postpartum and new-born care. RESULT: The main findings of this study showed that Swedish midwifery students were confident in managing normal pregnancy, labour and birth. Midwifery students at a school with a medical faculty were more confident in handling obstetric emergency situations. Some background variables were also associated with confidence. CONCLUSION: This study highlighted some midwifery skills that needs further training and reflection. More training and developing confidence in complicated and emergency situations are needed. There seem to be a need of midwifery education reforms if we believe that high levels of confidence at the time of graduation is equal to competent and skilled midwives in the future.