Do midwives possess the knowledge, skills and confidence to care for acutely ill women within the tertiary maternity hospital setting?

Abstract

This study assessed midwives knowledge, skills and attitudes to maternity high-dependency care both before and after attendance at a hospital-based maternity high-dependency course. A mixed methodology design involved pre and post course knowledge testing, assessment of confidence and focus group interviews. Pearsons’s chi-square analysis indicated a statistically significant improvement in midwifery knowledge (p = < 0.001), skills (p = 0.005), and confidence (p = < 0.004) 12 months after course completion. Thematic analysis of the focus group interview transcripts revealed three core themes that influenced confidence in clinical practice.