Midwifery students’ experiences of working within a midwifery caseload model

Background Work integrated learning opportunities account for approximately half of the Bachelor of Midwifery program with the goal being to ensure that on graduation students are skilled to provide woman centred evidenced based midwifery care within any environment. There is increasing concern, however, over the quality of clinical experiences students are afforded. Objective This study explored the experiences of third year Bachelor of Midwifery students in South East Queensland undertaking a clinical placement within a midwifery caseload model. Design A qualitative descriptive approach was adopted. Data were collected using semi-structured, digitally recorded telephone interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data set. Setting Midwifery student clinical placement in caseload practice Participants Twelve third year Bachelor of Midwifery students from one university who had experienced a clinical placement in a caseload midwifery model of between 4 and 8 weeks. Findings Five themes emerged. These were labelled ‘stepping in her shoes’, ‘bringing it all together’, ‘my own captive educator’, ‘knowing the woman’, and ‘it was hard – but it was worth it’. The three-way relationship between midwife, woman and student facilitated deep and active learning leading to a growth in confidence and readiness for practice. Students were afforded the opportunity to constantly integrate theory into practice within a woman centred social model of care where they also grew to understand how midwives operationalise caseload practice in a sustainable way. Students acknowledged the challenges they faced undertaking the placement, but all confirmed the value it had afforded them. Key conclusions and implications for practice This study has provided evidence that situating midwifery students within a continuity of care model facilitated a rich holistic learning experience for students. Not only did the placement enhance student's confidence and competence it also provided a real-world view of what working in that a caseload model could be like on graduation. This is vital if the profession is to support system level change ensuring all women have access to evidence informed maternity care.