Motivation for continuing education in midwifery

The findings suggest that midwives lack motivation to participate in informal and formal continuing education, however, the findings also indicate that encouragement and support from managers, adequate provisions of educational facilities, social responsibility and having to work night duty/part-time may influence midwives' ability to participation in available continuing education programmes.

Abstract

Continuing education is increasingly recognised as vital for the improvement of health care. This paper discusses the findings of a study carried out to investigate whether practising midwives working in selected hospitals in Northern Ireland are motivated to participate in continuing education. A questionnaire approach was used to investigate 60 midwives of ward sister/staff midwife grades. Quantitative data were enhanced with information from semi-structured interviews. Midwives in this study conceptualised continuing education as both formal and informal learning experiences. Despite variations in the views they held of the value of continuing education to themselves, all respondents identified continuing education as being important for professional reasons. The findings suggest that midwives lack motivation to participate in informal and formal continuing education. However, the findings also indicate that encouragement and support from managers, adequate provisions of educational facilities, social responsibility and having to work night duty/part-time may influence midwives' ability to participate in available continuing education programmes. In conclusion the findings highlight the need for an effective staff appraisal system and the provision of a range of opportunities (formal and informal) for continuing education to motivate midwives to continue their education.