Enhancing undergraduate midwifery: using drug and alcohol baby simulators in education

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (11) ◽  
pp. 620-627
Author(s):  
Humaira Khan ◽  
Luisa Cescutti-Butler

Background In the UK, simulation in midwifery education mostly relates to developing clinical skills such as managing obstetric emergencies. However, there is minimal use of neonate simulators in educating student midwives on the impact of teratogens on fetal development. There is also limited research on using neonatal simulators as a creative pedagogical tool in undergraduate midwifery education. Objectives The two main objectives of this study were to ascertain whether students could recognise the physical impact of teratogens in the early postnatal period while interacting with simulators and to explore whether midwifery students understood their role as future midwives when working with pregnant women who may be misusing substances. Methods This qualitative research involved Level 4 student midwives from south England. A taught session on protecting the unborn environment was provided and students were tasked to interact with low fidelity fetal alcohol syndrome simulators and medium fidelity drug affected simulators. Student responses to group activities, such as interacting with the simulators and considering their role as future midwives in educating pregnant women about the impact of teratogens on a fetus and newborn baby, were collected. Results The use of the simulators was a useful pedagogical tool for enhancing student knowledge around teratogenesis and fetal impact. Conclusions Neonatal simulators can be used to engage undergraduate midwifery students and enhance their learning and knowledge.

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 499-501
Author(s):  
Edwin Van Teijlingen ◽  
Padam Simkhada ◽  
Bhimsen Devkota ◽  
Padmadharini Fanning ◽  
Jillian Ireland ◽  
...  

Mental health of pregnant women and new mothers is a growing area of concern in both low- and high-income countries. Maternity services in the UK, for example, have focused more attention on maternal mental health. We recognise that pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period is a time of major psychological and social change for women.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (11) ◽  
pp. 1561-1578
Author(s):  
Miri Kestler-Peleg ◽  
Osnat Lavenda ◽  
Shelli Keren-Leneman ◽  
Karni Ginzburg

Contemporary families experience the paradox of traditionalism/postmodernism especially in the postnatal period which presents many challenges to couples subsystem. One of them is the change in roles, which often leads to decreased relationships’ equality. This article tests the impact of change in perceived spousal equality after giving birth on relationships’ quality and the implications of the latter for mothers’ psychological adjustment. Participants included 349 Israeli pregnant women who completed self-reported questionnaires at the third trimester of pregnancy (T1) and 5 months postnatal (T2). The questionnaires dealt with perceived spousal equality, relationship’s quality and psychological adjustment (i.e., postpartum depression, negative and positive affect and life satisfaction). Results demonstrated that decrease in perceived equality from T1 to T2 reduced the levels of relationship’s quality, which in turn resulted in a decrease in mothers’ psychological adjustment, 5 months after giving birth. The centrality of spousal relationship for mothers’ psychological adjustment is discussed.


2021 ◽  
pp. e20200154
Author(s):  
Sarah Baillie ◽  
Susan Rhind ◽  
Jill MacKay ◽  
Leigh Murray ◽  
Liz Mossop

The VetEd conference was developed with the aim of growing an educational community by providing an opportunity to share ideas, innovations, research, and best practices in veterinary education in a friendly, affordable, and inclusive environment. The annual conference has been hosted by the veterinary schools in the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands, becoming the official conference of the Veterinary Schools Council in 2017. The current study investigates the extent to which the development of the conference has contributed to the evolution of a community of practice. The conference proceedings’ abstracts were analyzed to identify trends in number, type, and author information. This was complemented by oral histories exploring the impact of VetEd on developing the veterinary education community. The number of abstracts has increased from 40 (2010) to 137 (2018), and these are predominantly posters, with the major themes being technology-enhanced learning, clinical skills, and assessment. The authors have been increasingly international, representing 8 countries in 2010 and 22 in 2018. Nine interviews were undertaken with those involved in organizing VetEd. The inclusivity of the conference and the engagement of a wide variety of delegate groups are key themes that emerged. Concerns emerged around the organizational challenges and the potential for the conference to outgrow the founding principles in the future. VetEd has become a key event in the annual calendar and represents an initiative that has contributed to the ongoing development of the veterinary education community.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0254364
Author(s):  
Medbh Hillyard ◽  
Marlene Sinclair ◽  
Marie Murphy ◽  
Karen Casson ◽  
Ciara Mulligan

Background The aim of this study was to understand how physical activity and sedentary behaviour levels of pregnant women with gestational diabetes in the UK have been affected by COVID-19. Methods An online survey exploring physical activity and sedentary behaviour levels of pregnant women with gestational diabetes during COVID-19 was distributed through social media platforms. Women who had been pregnant during the COVID-19 outbreak and had gestational diabetes, were resident in the UK, were 18 years old or over and could understand written English were invited to take part. Results A total of 724 women accessed the survey, 553 of these met the eligibility criteria and took part in the survey. Sedentary time increased for 79% of the women during the pandemic. Almost half of the women (47%) were meeting the physical activity guidelines pre COVID-19 during their pregnancy, this dropped to 23% during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fear of leaving the house due to COVID-19 was the most commonly reported reason for the decline. Significant associations were found between meeting the physical activity guidelines during COVID-19 and educational attainment, fitness equipment ownership and knowledge of how to exercise safely in pregnancy. Conclusions and implications These results show the impact of COVID-19 on physical activity and sedentary behaviour levels and highlight the need for targeted public health initiatives as the pandemic continues and for future lockdowns. Women with gestational diabetes need to know how it is safe and beneficial to them to engage in physical activity and ways to do this from their homes if fear of leaving the house due to COVID-19 is a barrier for them. Online physical activity classes provided by certified trainers in physical activity for pregnant women may help them remain active when face-to-face appointments are reduced and limited additional resources are available.


Introduction: This paper describes some of the features of family medicine consultations in one clinic in India. In the United Kingdom (UK) there is a significant difference in the success rate in the Royal College of General Practice postgraduate licensing assessment (MRCGP) between those doctors who graduated MBBS from overseas but who trained and work in the UK, and those who graduated in the UK. The reasons for this are not known, but are likely to be multifactorial. India is the country of origin of one of the largest groups of UK International Medical Graduates (IMGs) and some doctors from India feel that their difficulty in passing this exam is in part due to family medicine being performed differently in India. Methods: The reported experiences of family medicine trained doctors in India about contextual aspects of practice are explored through a thematic analysis of focus group and interviews. A conversation analysis of work done by talk-in-interaction in video recordings of actual family medicine consultations in India is also presented. Results and Discussion: The impact of family medicine training, or the lack of it, and Indian structural and societal norms in the practice of family medicine are considered. The Clinical Skills Assessment element of MRCGP (CSA) heavily emphasises talk as used in all three assessment domains - data gathering, clinical management and interpersonal skills. The phrase ‘interactional fluidity’ is coined for the marker of competence with talk that RCGP examiners seek. This has implications in a high-stakes, yet simulated, assessment for those consulting in a second language. Using a model that differentiates between ‘core business work talk’, ‘work-related talk’ and ‘small talk’, the talk from video-recorded real-life consultations in India will be analysed. The risk of UK examiners mistaking unfamiliar patterns of talk for lack of medical competence is discussed. Conclusion: The differential attainment of IMGs has been described for some time and this paper aims to move the discussion on to potential training interventions in response.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-81
Author(s):  
Rosina Manandhar ◽  
Rachana Saha ◽  
Dipty Shrestha ◽  
Rumina Malla

Introduction: Obstetric emergencies are unpredictable and inappropriate management of such events can result in serious maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Simulation and drill provides obstetric emergency training in a safe environment with an aim of improving clinical outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of obstetric emergency training on the change in the knowledge, clinical skill and teamwork performance of the participants in the management of common obstetric emergencies: eclampsia, shoulder dystocia and post-partum haemorrhage. Methods: A hospital based interventional study was conducted amongst 11 residents, 4 medical officers and 45 interns. Pre-training and post-training assessment of the knowledge by using Multiple choice questions (MCQs), clinical skills by using Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and teamwork performance by using Mayo High Performance Teamwork Scale (MHPTS) was undertaken in each of the modules: Eclampsia, Shoulder dystocia and Post-partum haemorrhage. Training intervention was undertaken by using standardized lectures and simulated clinical emergency scenarios. The changes in MCQs, OSCE and MHPTS scores were analyzed. Results: There was a significant improvement in the mean MCQ score (p-value ˂0.001) and OSCE score (p-value ˂0.001), overall and individually, in each module. After the training, a greater number of participants could perform the clinical skill components. There was also a significant improvement in post training MHPTS score (p-value˂0.001). Conclusions: Obstetric emergency drill and training significantly increased the knowledge, clinical skills and teamwork performance of participants in the management of important obstetric emergencies. Keywords: eclampsia; obstetric emergency; post-partum haemorrhage; shoulder dystocia; simulation.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Vousden ◽  
Rema Ramakrishnan ◽  
Kathryn Bunch ◽  
Edward Morris ◽  
Nigel Simpson ◽  
...  

Background In the UK, the Alpha variant of SARS-CoV-2 became dominant in late 2020, rapidly succeeded by the Delta variant in May 2021. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of these variants on severity of maternal infection and perinatal outcomes within the time-periods in which they predominated. Methods This national, prospective cohort study collated data on hospitalised pregnant women with symptoms of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and compared the severity of infection and perinatal outcomes across the Wildtype (01/03/20-30/11/20), Alpha (01/12/20-15/05/21) and Delta dominant periods (16/05/21-11/07/21), using multivariable logistic regression. Findings Of 3371 pregnant women, the proportion that experienced moderate to severe infection significantly increased between Wildtype and Alpha periods (24.4% vs. 35.8%; aOR1.75 95%CI 1.48-2.06), and between Alpha and Delta periods (35.8% vs. 45.0%; aOR1.53, 95%CI 1.07-2.17). Compared to the Wildtype period, symptomatic women admitted in the Alpha period were more likely to require respiratory support (27.2% vs. 20.3%, aOR1.39, 95%CI 1.13-1.78), have pneumonia (27.5% vs. 19.1%, aOR1.65, 95%CI 1.38-1.98) and be admitted to intensive care (11.3% vs. 7.7%, aOR1.61, 95%CI 1.24-2.10). Women admitted during the Delta period had further increased risk of pneumonia (36.8% vs. 27.5%, aOR1.64 95%CI 1.14-2.35). No fully vaccinated pregnant women were admitted between 01/02/2021 when vaccination data collection commenced and 11/07/2021. The proportion of women receiving pharmacological therapies for SARS-CoV-2 management was low, even in those critically ill. Interpretation SARS-CoV-2 infection during Alpha and Delta dominant periods was associated with more severe infection and worse pregnancy outcomes compared to the Wildtype infection, which itself increased risk compared to women without SARS-CoV-2 infection.1 Clinicians need to be aware and implement COVID-specific therapies in keeping with national guidance. Urgent action to tackle vaccine misinformation and policy change to prioritise uptake in pregnancy is essential. Funding National Institute for Health Research HS&DR Programme (11/46/12).


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Daniels ◽  
Emily Arden-Close ◽  
Andrew Mayers

Abstract Background: Research focusing on paternal mental health is limited, especially regarding the impact of the experience of poor mental health in the perinatal period. For example, little is known about the experiences of men who witness their partner’s traumatic birth and the subsequent impact on the father’s mental health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore fathers’ experiences of witnessing a traumatic birth, how these experiences impacted their wellbeing, and what support they received during and following the traumatic birth. Methods: Sixty-one participants were recruited via targeted social media to complete an anonymous online qualitative questionnaire regarding their birth trauma experience. Eligible participants were aged eighteen or over, resided in the UK and had witnessed their partner’s traumatic birth (that did not result in loss of life). Thematic analysis was used to analyse the questionnaire data. Results: Three main themes were identified: ‘fathers’ understanding of the experience’ (subthemes: nothing can prepare you for it; merely a passenger; mixed experiences with staff; not about me); ‘life after birth trauma’ (subthemes: manhood after birth; inability to be happy; impact on relationships); and ‘the support fathers received vs what they wanted’ (subthemes: prenatal support; birth support; and postnatal support). Conclusions: Fathers reported that witnessing their partner’s traumatic birth had a significant impact on them. They felt this affected their mental health and relationships long into the postnatal period. However, there is no nationally recognised support in place for fathers to use as a result of their experiences. The participants attributed this to being perceived as less important than women in the postnatal period, and maternity services’ perceptions of the father more generally. Implications include ensuring support is available for mother and father following a traumatic birth, with additional staff training geared towards the father’s role.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (9) ◽  
pp. 549-554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Abraham ◽  
Shah Neha ◽  
Alison Power

Bariatric surgery is a recommended, cost-effective, evidenced-based intervention to reduce weight and associated comorbidities in severely obese people. People with a BMI of 40 kg/m2 or more, or a BMI between 35–40 kg/m2 with other medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and obstructive sleep apnoea meet the criteria to be considered for bariatric surgery. Over the past 10 years, bariatric surgery in the UK has been more widely accessible and consequently midwives may be required to care for pregnant women who have undergone bariatric surgery such as a gastric band, sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass. Midwives are required to work co-operatively, recognising and working within the limits of their competence and providing leadership. The aim of this article is to consider the midwife's role as co-ordinator of care for pregnant women who have undergone bariatric surgery. It outlines the most common bariatric procedures and specific considerations, including nutritional supplementation required when providing care to women in the antenatal and postnatal period.


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