Learning
Learning has taken on
different meanings to me as a midwife over the years.
I take note that the
emphasis is now on maintaining competencies according to prescribed standards
of practice and ongoing learning in all professions.
Core midwives work
rostered and rotating shifts so one of the challengers of the educator is to
ensure that midwives have equal access to the courses provided by the DHB. Lead
Maternity Carers who are midwives are required to cover their education day by
having another midwife be on call for their caseload. In some situations this may lead to
a loss of earnings for that midwife. It is necessary to have training or
learning that can be accessed in different ways by midwives regardless of the
hours or place of work. Flexible learning is appropriate for midwives.
At present I offer
mostly face to face learning with a pre reading list given to the participants
prior to the course. The same study days are run at least 3 times a year so
that midwives can attend the course. I offer scenario, online, formal lectures
and incidental based learning at present.
If I have organised a
study day with presenters from different disciplines participating (which is
difficult enough to organise) there usually is only one study day as others are
busy with there own departments. Ideally I would love to videotape the
presentations and then have them online for midwives to access. Unfortunately
with this the midwives are unable to participate in the discussions and from
feedback I have gathered that this forms a central learning role.
My goal is to ensure
access to education.