The Effect of Simulation Teaching Method on Midwifery Students' Knowledge and Skills of Vaginal Examination in Labor: A Randomized Controlled Study

Abstract

Background

In recent years, simulation teaching has been widely used as a teaching method to improve midwifery students' practical skills. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the simulation teaching method on midwifery students' knowledge and skills of vaginal examination in labor.

Method

This is a randomized controlled experimental study and was conducted between November 08, 2022 and August 18, 2023. The research group consisted of third-year students in the midwifery department of a state university in Turkey . The study was completed with 32 students in the experimental group and 30 students in the control group. Student Identification Form, Vaginal Examination Procedural Information Form, Vaginal Examination Findings Record Form, and Vaginal Examination Knowledge Test were used as data collection tools.

Results

In the study, the Vaginal Examination Procedural Information Form score was found to be statistically significantly higher in the experimental group (p = .001). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the Vaginal Examination Knowledge Test score. Cervical effacement (U = 3.930; p < .001), cervical dilatation (U = 4.781; p < .001), and fetal descent (U = 4.608; p < .001) accuracy scores were significantly higher in the experimental group compared to the control group.

Conclusion

Teaching vaginal examination in labor with simulation improved midwifery students' vaginal examination skills by increasing their procedural knowledge and accuracy in vaginal examination assessments in the clinical setting.