Abstract
Background
Little emphasis has been given to the standardised measurement of midwifery students’
perceptions of their clinical learning experiences.
Aim
To develop a tool that evaluates students’ perceptions of their clinical learning
experiences according to environment and impact of preceptors on professional development.
Methods
A cross-sectional design was used. Tool development had three phases: item generation;
expert review to assess clarity, apparent internal consistency and content validity;
and psychometric testing. All Bachelor of Midwifery students at one university in
Australia were invited to complete the online survey. Psychometric testing included
dimensionality, internal consistency and test-retest reliability.
Results
A 74% (n = 279) response rate was achieved. Factor analysis revealed the Clinical Learning Environment
Scale and Impact of the Midwifery Preceptor Scale accounting for 53.6% and 71.5% of
variance respectively. Both scales were reliable (Cronbach’s alpha = .92 and .94) and valid. Overall, students positively rated the clinical learning environment
and preceptors’ abilities to foster their sense of identity as a midwife. Students
were less satisfied with preceptors’ understanding of the academic program.
Discussion
The new tool consists of two scales that reliably measure midwifery students’ perceptions
of how the clinical learning environment develops their skills and reflects a midwifery
philosophy. Preceptors had a positive influence on students’ skills and professional
development.
Conclusions
The Midwifery Student Evaluation of Practice tool is the first valid and reliable
measure of students’ perceptions of their clinical learning experiences. Students’
feedback provides valuable information to educators and preceptors on how best to
optimise clinical learning.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 23, 2019
Accepted:
September 30,
2019
Received in revised form:
September 17,
2019
Received:
May 13,
2019
Identification
Copyright
© 2019 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
