The 'follow-through' experience in three-year Bachelor of Midwifery programs in Australia: A survey of students

Gray, JE; Leap, N; Sheehy, A; Homer, CSE

The 'follow-through' experience in three-year Bachelor of Midwifery programs in Australia: A survey of students

Gray, JE

Leap, N Sheehy, A

Homer, CSE

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Nurse Education in Practice, 2012, 12 (5), pp. 258 - 263
Issue Date:: 2012-09-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Gray, JE https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5204-2873	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Leap, N	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Sheehy, A https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0037-1501	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Homer, CSE https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7454-3011	en_US
dc.date.available	2012-04-29	en_US
dc.date.issued	2012-09-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Nurse Education in Practice, 2012, 12 (5), pp. 258 - 263	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1471-5953	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/18488
dc.description.abstract	Introduction: The follow-through experience in Australian midwifery education is a strategy that requires midwifery students to 'follow' a number of women through pregnancy, labour and birth and into the parenting period. Background: The experience was introduced by the Australian College of Midwives as part of national standards for the three-year Bachelor of Midwifery programs. Anecdotally, the introduction caused considerable debate. A criticism was that these experiences were incorporated with little evidence of their value. Methods: An online survey was undertaken to explore the follow-through experience from the perspectives of current and former students. There were 101 respondents, 93 current students with eight recent graduates. Results: Participants were positive about developing relationships with women. They also identified aspects of the follow-through experience that were challenging. Support to assist with the experience was often lacking and the documentation required varied. Despite these difficulties, 75% felt it should be mandatory as it facilitated positive learning experiences. Discussion: The follow-through experience ensured that students were exposed to midwifery continuity of care. The development of relationships with women was an important aspect of learning. Conclusion: Despite these challenges, there were significant learning opportunities. Future work and research needs to ensure than an integrated approach is taken to enhance learning. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Nurse Education in Practice	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.nepr.2012.04.013	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Nursing	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Attitude of Health Personnel	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Learning	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Nursing Education Research	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Nursing Evaluation Research	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Nursing Methodology Research	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Midwifery	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Students, Nursing	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Australia	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.title	The 'follow-through' experience in three-year Bachelor of Midwifery programs in Australia: A survey of students	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	5	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	12	en_US
utslib.for	1302 Curriculum and Pedagogy	en_US
utslib.for	1110 Nursing	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Midwifery
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Graduate School of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - WHO CC
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Students
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.issue	5	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	12	en_US

Abstract:

Introduction: The follow-through experience in Australian midwifery education is a strategy that requires midwifery students to 'follow' a number of women through pregnancy, labour and birth and into the parenting period. Background: The experience was introduced by the Australian College of Midwives as part of national standards for the three-year Bachelor of Midwifery programs. Anecdotally, the introduction caused considerable debate. A criticism was that these experiences were incorporated with little evidence of their value. Methods: An online survey was undertaken to explore the follow-through experience from the perspectives of current and former students. There were 101 respondents, 93 current students with eight recent graduates. Results: Participants were positive about developing relationships with women. They also identified aspects of the follow-through experience that were challenging. Support to assist with the experience was often lacking and the documentation required varied. Despite these difficulties, 75% felt it should be mandatory as it facilitated positive learning experiences. Discussion: The follow-through experience ensured that students were exposed to midwifery continuity of care. The development of relationships with women was an important aspect of learning. Conclusion: Despite these challenges, there were significant learning opportunities. Future work and research needs to ensure than an integrated approach is taken to enhance learning. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/18488