RESEARCH ARTICLE


An Exploration of Student Midwives’ Lived Experiences Regarding Confidence and Satisfaction in Medium-Fidelity Simulation



Zukiswa Brenda Ntlokonkulu*, Ntombana Mcdeline Rala, Daniel Ter Goon
Department of Nursing Science, University of Fort Hare, 45 Church Street, East London, Alice, South Africa


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Creative Commons License
© 2018 Ntlokonkulu et al.

open-access license: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License (CC-BY 4.0), a copy of which is available at: (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode). This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

* Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Nursing Science, University of Fort Hare, 45 Church Street, East London, Alice, South Africa; Tel: +27 43 7047588; Email: zntlokonkulu@ufh.ac.za


Abstract

Background

Newly qualified midwives are expected to exhibit some level of confidence in practice when they enter the clinical environment.

Objective

To explore the lived experiences of student midwives after exposure to medium-fidelity simulation concerning confidence and satisfaction.

Methods

This qualitative, interpretive, phenomenological analysis study was conducted on a purposive sample of five, fourth-year Baccalaureate of Nursing Science student midwives at the University of Fort Hare. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data analysis applied the interpretative phenomenological analysis approach.

Results

Superordinate theme sense of fulfilment elicited six sub-ordinate themes namely 1) Transferability of skills 2) Knowledgeable 3) Equipment used during simulation 4) Realism of simulation 4) Sense of accomplishment 5) Sure/unsure of performance. The use of a standardised patient during the simulation instead of a mannequin prepared participants for the real clinical environment. After being involved in the simulation, participants became more inquisitive regarding the management of the simulated condition. Satisfaction with simulation depended on whether the simulation activity met the student’s expectations, and if the simulation equipment resembled real clinical equipment. Post-partum haemorrhage simulation bridged the gap between theory and practice.

Conclusion

Confidence and satisfaction of student midwives during simulation is depended on the realism of the simulated activity. Exposure to simulated activity increases student knowledge. The student acknowledged that simulation can bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Keywords: Confidence, Interpretative phenomenological analysis, Medium-fidelity simulation, Post-partum haemorrhage, Satisfaction, Standardised patient.