A national evaluation of the Irish midwifery curriculum leading to registration

Background/Aims Ireland's pre-registration midwifery education was last reviewed in 2012 and the Irish healthcare sector has since undergone significant reform. The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive review of undergraduate midwifery in Ireland. Methods This mixed-methods study used the principles of appreciative inquiry. Data from a purposeful sample of graduates were collected via survey. Stakeholder focus groups were conducted with newly graduated midwives, senior stakeholders, midwifery academic staff, practising midwives, service users and union representatives. A policy document review was also conducted. Results Midwifery graduates reported inadequate supervision in practice placements and felt less prepared than their nursing counterparts. Policy documents often used the term midwifery even when the policy did not pertain to midwifery practice. Conclusions Resources must use a student-centred approach to learning, and clinical and academic elements of programmes should be integrated. Midwifery must be recognised as distinct from nursing. Implications for practice The challenges midwifery students experienced in the clinical learning environment should prompt a review of the current clinical supervision model to improve the experience of midwifery students and supervisors/preceptors.