In this article Jenny Hall, Midwifery editor, and Neil Stewart, Editorial Director, reflect on the student experience festival and the answers to the polls asked this year compared to 2021.
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Student midwives’ experience
Midwifery has not been far from the news over the past few years with reports indicating all is not well in maternity services. In this environment students are still applying for the profession, and journeying through the course, despite the additional challenges of the Covid pandemic. The Maternity and Midwifery forum held the first Student midwives experience festival online at the end of 2021, during the continued uncertainty of national lockdowns. Last week was the first hybrid event with a face-to-face gathering in London, with groups of students joining via hubs across the country and the world. The festivals were student-led, with discussions around challenges student midwives are experiences, and with many tips how to get through. The passion for the profession shone through, though there is no doubt there are difficulties being faced, and some solutions were offered.
During the festivals students were given the opportunity to respond to poll questions around different aspects of their programme. The table below shows a comparison between most of the poll questions during the two events. More questions were asked in 2021 which have been removed and were more relevant to the pandemic situations. These answers are, of course, not representative of the whole population of students and care should be taken in interpretation. However, it does give an interesting snapshot on these student views.
Some thoughts. Question 1 asks about placement arrangements. It appears here there has been some improvement on the impact of the pandemic on placements, though students are still having regular disruption. It is heartening to see that assessments are being affected less by the lack of clinical staff, with a third saying they have not had experienced this at all. Students do not seem to be totally happy about the online learning they receive, though it is not clear how much this is now taking place, or hybrid, in comparison to the higher level of online learning in 2021. The question on the required number of physiological births shows an increased focus on labour inductions and caesarean section rates as reasons for non-achievement. This is compared to the perceived lack of placement hours experienced in the pandemic. When considering their future careers, over a third appear to be looking to work abroad- is that a reflection on the current political and NHS climate? Something to be concerned about within the current staffing crisis. However, increasing numbers appear to be keen to work in community or continuity care teams as part of their future practice. Finally, in the question of experience of education, it is of no surprise that lecturers feature very low down the pecking order and that working with the mothers, in the community setting and placements as a whole are at the top of the list.
It is evident from these answers that the student midwives in these groups are facing a number of challenges in achieving the programme. The polls are only a guide, but may provide pointers to educators and policy makers of further questions that may be asked. Particularly, how can we help students have a better experience over their programmes so they remain on the course and how can we keep the students of the future in the profession?
Jenny Hall
Midwifery editor, Maternity and Midwifery forum
January 2023