Eliciting the views of experienced midwives about the assessment of competence in midwifery

• Published in: Midwifery 1996-12, Vol.12 (4), p.182-190
• Main Authors: Worth-Butler, Michelle M., Fraser, Diana M., Murphy, Roger J.L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Attitude of Health Personnel; Clinical Competence - standards; England; Humans; Licensure, Nursing; Midwifery; Nurse Midwives - education; Nurse Midwives - psychology; Nurse Midwives - standards; Nursing; Opinions; Professional competence; Surveys and Questionnaires; United Kingdom
• ISSN: 0266-6138; 1532-3099
• DOI: 10.1016/S0266-6138(96)80005-2

to investigate the views of the English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting (ENB) Professional Midwifery Advisory Network (PMAN) members about the assessment of competence in midwifery. initial questionnaire followed by a group discussion of a summary of the data from the completed questionnaires. 54 PMAN midwives representing education, management, research, practice and supervision; plus six ENB Education Officers (midwifery). the response rate to the questionnaires was 75%. In the group discussion the PMAN members commented particularly on: the large number of items identified as needing assessment in practice and by written work; lack of total agreement on the assessment in practice of normal delivery; differences in practitioners' perceptions of assessment; the number and range of areas to be assessed; differences in expectation of ‘task’ assessment versus ‘holistic’ assessment; lack of assessment in simulation; heavy reliance on written work in assessment. the group's discussion of the questionnaire data revealed further interesting data, which added considerably to the initial analysis and overview. Some participants had misinterpreted the instructions and found that what they had filled in did not accurately reflect their beliefs about assessment. General consensus was reached on the need for a national standard or framework for assessment and more emphasis to be placed on assessing students in the practice setting whilst ensuring this includes knowledge and understanding and not merely psycho-motor skills. The major implications include effective preparation of assessors and more teacher involvement in practice to support the midwife assessors.