Enhancing Midwifery Students' Knowledge and Skills in Communication, Counselling, and Therapeutic Approaches Through an Elective Pilot Course: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Midwives are crucial in addressing complex women's health issues, such as infertility, breastfeeding challenges, and neonatal health. An elective pilot course, "Educational, Counseling, and Therapeutic Approaches in Midwifery", was designed to enhance midwifery students' knowledge and skills in communication, counseling, and therapeutic skills via e-learning approaches. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining pre- and post-testing to assess students' skill development. In addition, guided reflective discussions were based on video and audio recordings of pre-prepared role-playing scenarios. Students worked in pairs, alternating roles as midwives and patients, to engage in real-life situations. During the reflective discussions, students critically analyzed their experiences of the consultation process, identifying their strengths and weaknesses, and reflecting on what went well and what could be improved in future interactions. Results: The initial findings revealed that students were overconfident in their skills, but through role-playing and reflective discussions, they recognized gaps in their knowledge and developed a deeper understanding of essential competencies. Conclusions: The elective pilot course proved effective in enhancing students' knowledge and skills as counselors. These results emphasize the importance of integrating structured e-learning and educational strategies into midwifery training to improve care and health outcomes.