ETHNICITY AND ACADEMIC SUCCESS IN A PRE-REGISTRATION MIDWIFERY EDUCATION PROGRAMME

Abstract

Equality, diversity and inclusion are core values of both the National Health Service (NHS) and Higher Education healthcare training providers in the UK. It is clear however that there are disparities in course achievement outcomes between students depending on ethnicity.1,2 To what extent midwifery education specifically is impacted has to date not been established. This retrospective cohort observation study looked at the relationship between ethnicity of student midwives, and course outcome in a single higher education midwifery programme in the UK. Findings identify that ethnicity does not impact on course attrition rates but does predict the final degree classification attained.