Midwives' Self-Efficacy in Perimenopause Care: An Educational Intervention

Study Purpose: This project evaluated the effectiveness of an asynchronous continuing education (CE) webinar in improving midwives’ self-efficacy to provide comprehensive perimenopause care. Research Questions 1. What is the impact of a targeted CE webinar on midwives’ self-efficacy in providing comprehensive perimenopause care? 2. How do participants perceive the impact and acceptability of a pilot CE webinar? Significance/Background: Despite midwifery’s defined role in lifespan care, engagement in perimenopause management remains limited. Gaps in formal education and continuing professional development contribute to low confidence in this area. Guided by Social Cognitive Theory, this project targeted self-efficacy as a modifiable factor influencing clinical engagement. Methods: A quasi-experimental, single-group pretest–posttest design was used. American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB)-certified midwives practicing in the United States were recruited through professional and social networks. Participants completed a demographic survey and a pre-intervention self-efficacy questionnaire, viewed a 70-minute pre-recorded webinar, and completed post-intervention surveys. Self-efficacy was measured using a 15-item scale (score range 0–60) adapted from a validated instrument. Paired t-tests were used to evaluate changes in total and domain-specific self-efficacy scores. Descriptive statistics summarized program acceptability, and qualitative feedback was grouped into categories. Analyses were conducted using the Data Analysis Toolpak embedded in Microsoft Excel. Findings: Fifty participants completed the webinar and both surveys. Mean total self-efficacy scores increased significantly from 21.22 (SD 10.51) pre-intervention to 39.60 (SD 10.12) post-intervention (mean difference 18.38, 95% CI 15.96–20.80; p < .001). Significant improvements were observed across all domains (p < .001) – Perimenopause Assessment, Treatment & Management, Counseling & Patient Education, Shared Decision-Making & Referral, and Integration of Perimenopause Care into Practice. Participants reported high satisfaction with the webinar format (96%) and content (94%), and 64% indicated likelihood of pursuing menopause-specific certification. Discussion/Implications: Self-efficacy in perimenopause care is responsive to targeted CE, even among experienced midwives. Enhancing confidence through accessible educational interventions may increase midwives’ engagement in midlife and perimenopause care, improving continuity of care for women. Expanding CE in perimenopause care has implications for workforce development, professional visibility, and addressing gaps in women’s healthcare. Future research should examine sustained practice change and patient-level outcomes.