A cross sectional study of midwifery students’ experiences of COVID-19: Uncertainty and expendability

Kuliukas, L; Hauck, Y; Sweet, L; Vasilevski, V; Homer, C; Wynter, K; Wilson, A; Szabo, R; Bradfield, Z

A cross sectional study of midwifery students’ experiences of COVID-19: Uncertainty and expendability

Kuliukas, L Hauck, Y Sweet, L Vasilevski, V Homer, C

Wynter, K Wilson, A Szabo, R Bradfield, Z

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Publisher:: ELSEVIER SCI LTD
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Nurse Education in Practice, 2021, 51
Issue Date:: 2021-02-09

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Kuliukas, L
dc.contributor.author	Hauck, Y
dc.contributor.author	Sweet, L
dc.contributor.author	Vasilevski, V
dc.contributor.author	Homer, C https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7454-3011
dc.contributor.author	Wynter, K
dc.contributor.author	Wilson, A
dc.contributor.author	Szabo, R
dc.contributor.author	Bradfield, Z
dc.date.accessioned	2021-09-05T22:58:54Z
dc.date.available	2021-01-31
dc.date.available	2021-09-05T22:58:54Z
dc.date.issued	2021-02-09
dc.identifier.citation	Nurse Education in Practice, 2021, 51
dc.identifier.issn	1471-5953
dc.identifier.issn	1873-5223
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/150328
dc.description.abstract	The impact of COVID-19 on midwifery students is anticipated to be multi-faceted. Our aim was to explore Australian midwifery students' experiences of providing maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a cross-sectional study 147 students were recruited through social media. Data were collected through an online survey and semi-structured interviews. Surveys were analysed using descriptive statistics; interviews and open text responses were interpreted through qualitative analysis. Findings revealed students found communication from hospitals and universities to be confusing, inconsistent and they relied on mass media and each other to remain updated. Moving to online learning and being isolated from peers made learning difficult. During clinical placements, students felt expendable in terms of their value and contribution, reflected in essential equipment such as personal protective equipment not always being available to them. Witnessing perceived compromised midwifery care increased students' emotional burden, while personal household responsibilities and financial concerns were problematic. One silver lining witnessed was women's appreciation of an improved 'babymoon', with fewer visitors, allowing uninterrupted time to establish breastfeeding and connection with their baby. Findings may guide management of midwifery education during future pandemics or health crises for universities and hospitals.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	ELSEVIER SCI LTD
dc.relation.ispartof	Nurse Education in Practice
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.nepr.2021.102988
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	1110 Nursing, 1302 Curriculum and Pedagogy
dc.subject.classification	Nursing
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Uncertainty
dc.subject.mesh	Cross-Sectional Studies
dc.subject.mesh	Midwifery
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy
dc.subject.mesh	Students, Nursing
dc.subject.mesh	Adolescent
dc.subject.mesh	Adult
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged
dc.subject.mesh	Maternal Health Services
dc.subject.mesh	Australia
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Male
dc.subject.mesh	Young Adult
dc.subject.mesh	Surveys and Questionnaires
dc.subject.mesh	COVID-19
dc.subject.mesh	Adolescent
dc.subject.mesh	Adult
dc.subject.mesh	Australia
dc.subject.mesh	COVID-19
dc.subject.mesh	Cross-Sectional Studies
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Male
dc.subject.mesh	Maternal Health Services
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged
dc.subject.mesh	Midwifery
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy
dc.subject.mesh	Students, Nursing
dc.subject.mesh	Surveys and Questionnaires
dc.subject.mesh	Uncertainty
dc.subject.mesh	Young Adult
dc.title	A cross sectional study of midwifery students’ experiences of COVID-19: Uncertainty and expendability
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	51
utslib.location.activity	Scotland
utslib.for	1110 Nursing
utslib.for	1302 Curriculum and Pedagogy
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - WHO CC
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2021-09-05T22:58:52Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	51

Abstract:

The impact of COVID-19 on midwifery students is anticipated to be multi-faceted. Our aim was to explore Australian midwifery students' experiences of providing maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a cross-sectional study 147 students were recruited through social media. Data were collected through an online survey and semi-structured interviews. Surveys were analysed using descriptive statistics; interviews and open text responses were interpreted through qualitative analysis. Findings revealed students found communication from hospitals and universities to be confusing, inconsistent and they relied on mass media and each other to remain updated. Moving to online learning and being isolated from peers made learning difficult. During clinical placements, students felt expendable in terms of their value and contribution, reflected in essential equipment such as personal protective equipment not always being available to them. Witnessing perceived compromised midwifery care increased students' emotional burden, while personal household responsibilities and financial concerns were problematic. One silver lining witnessed was women's appreciation of an improved 'babymoon', with fewer visitors, allowing uninterrupted time to establish breastfeeding and connection with their baby. Findings may guide management of midwifery education during future pandemics or health crises for universities and hospitals.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/150328