The effect of competency-based education in obstetric emergencies on midwifery students in clinical skill lab, based on Kirkpatrick evaluation model: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundObstetric emergency is one of the most important causes of maternal and neonatal mortality, and competency-based education is one of the efficient approaches to cover this. Objective structured clinical examination is one of the valid methods in measuring students’ competency and performance. Kirkpatrick evaluation model is a great method to assess a training impact.ObjectivesThis study was designed to determine the effect of competency-based education on midwifery students based on Kirkpatrick evaluation model.DesignRandomized controlled trialSettingNursing and Midwifery School in Islamic Republic of Iran (Iran University of Medical Sciences)Participantseighty students in third to fifth term of associate and bachelor’s degree in midwifery (intervention group=40, control group=40)MethodsUsing stratified random sampling, research team trained learners of intervention group in 4 sessions, 5 hours/day in a month in emergency obstetric cares. Both groups had been receiving the routine schedule of the faculty. Knowledge, skills, and self-confidence were assessed three times, before, immediately and 6 weeks after training by researcher made questionnaire, Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and self-reported questionnaire respectively. Data were analyzed with descriptive, inferential statistics.ResultsThe level of knowledge, skills, and self-confidence increased significantly in the intervention group, in immediate and 6 weeks after intervention (P<0.001). In intervention group, Mean ± S.D of all variables were 5.05±2.074, 143.30±12.146 and 11.65±2.045, which increased to 10.17±1.318, 527.70±19.995 and 18.97±1.980 and remained at the same levels 6 weeks later, 9.37±2.215, 521.80±19.784 and 19.00±2.631; in the control group, this trend was not significant (P=0.380, P=0.455 and P=0.191).ConclusionCompetency-based education can be used in midwifery education and in-service training. We need to use new educational approaches such as competency-based to have a valuable impact on knowledge skills and self-confidence. This may affect health indexes indirectly.