Evaluation of strategies designed to enhance student engagement and success of indigenous midwifery students in an Away-From-Base Bachelor of Midwifery Program in Australia: A qualitative research study

• Published in: Nurse education today Vol. 63; pp. 59 - 63
• Main Authors: Schulz, Paula M., Dunne, Carmel L., Burdett-Jones, Denise, Gamble, Natalie S., Kosiak, Machellee M., Neal, Joclyn M., Baker, Gail E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Scotland Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2018; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Aboriginal; Academic success; Clinical education; Clinical placements; Clinical training; Cultural sensitivity; Distance Education; Employment; Focus Groups; Health initiatives; Higher education; Indigenous peoples; Indigenous students; Learner Engagement; Learning; Liaison; Medical personnel; Midwifery; Midwifery education; Midwives; Minority students; Native peoples; Nursing; Obstetrics; Qualitative Research; Retention; Retention (Psychology); Student Participation; Students; Support; Australia; Clinical education; Indigenous students; Higher education; Support; Midwifery; Aboriginal; Academic success
• ISSN: 0260-6917; 1532-2793
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nedt.2018.01.026

A strategy to close the gap in relation to Indigenous health is the employment of more Indigenous health professionals. However, despite government reviews, research studies and educational initiatives, Indigenous students' retention and completion rates of tertiary education remains below those of non-Indigenous Australians. To evaluate two enhancements to an Away-from-Base Bachelor of Midwifery program for Indigenous students, namely the appointment of an Indigenous Academic Liaison Midwife to provide academic and cultural support and an additional clinical placement in a high-volume tertiary hospital. In this qualitative study, 10 Indigenous students enrolled in the Away-from-Base Bachelor of Midwifery program participated in one of two focus groups. Focus group transcriptions were subjected to a manual thematic analysis, and key themes were identified and explored. The role of the Indigenous Academic Liaison Midwife was highly valued as students had access to a resource who provided cultural and academic support, and who encouraged and advocated for them. Regular contact with the Indigenous Academic Liaison Midwife enabled students to stay connected with and focussed on their study. Students were overwhelmingly positive about the opportunity to undertake the additional clinical placement, as it exposed them to complex clinical cases they may not have seen in their home communities. The introduction of an Indigenous Academic Liaison Midwife and an additional clinical placement in a high-volume tertiary hospital were perceived as valuable additions to the range of support mechanisms already in place for Indigenous Away-from-Base Bachelor of Midwifery students. These interventions have had a direct impact on retention, course progression and completion rates for Indigenous students. Students expressed enhanced clinical learning and knowledge retention as a result of the additional clinical placement, and the Indigenous Academic Liaison Midwife provided culturally sensitive support for students undertaking remote learning, and during on-campus intensive sessions. •There are a limited number of Indigenous midwives in the Australian midwifery workforce.•A tertiary qualification is a requirement of becoming a midwife.•The participation rates of Indigenous students in higher education is low.•A factor that affects Indigenous student success is the availability of Indigenous academic and cultural support.•The provision of an Indigenous Academic Liaison Midwife promotes better retention and completion rates.