Kaire Sildver
Tallinn Health Care College, Estonia
Title: Improving a clinical practice: the satisfaction levels of midwifery mentors in terms of the organization of clinical practice and the affecting factors based on the example of the midwives
Biography
Biography: Kaire Sildver
Abstract
Background: In healthcare disciplines, theory and practice are very closely associated with each other. This research is important in order to know the factors that affect the quality of the specialty internship of midwifery. The whole foundation of learning, however, is based on the relationship between the mentor and the student relationship, the success and the quality of the performance of the internship depends on it. The important role is played by the personality characteristics of the mentor and the student, their theoretical and practical knowledge and skills, professional competence, personal values, communication skills and ethical attitudes. Lack of experience in practice impacts negative influence in future working as midwife.
Purpose: To describe and analyze the satisfaction levels of the midwives at East-Tallinn Central Hospital Women’s Clinic concerning the organization of clinical practices and the affected factors.
Design: The research method of this study is empirical and based on qualitative data analysis. In order to collect data, semi-structured interviews have been conducted with three different focus groups which were recorded on videotape. The analysis of the data relies on discourse analysis which includes the transcription of audiovisual material, codification, analysation and presentation of results. All subjects of the survey have been informed about ethics and the benefits received from the results in raising the quality of the internship.
Findings: A broad consensus exists among the midwifery mentors working at East Tallinn Central Hospital Women's Clinic that from the hospital's point of view clinical practices are well-organized. The organization of the practices carried out by the school brings forth positive comments from the mentors who applaud the fact that trainees show up at the practices correctly and face their expectations. Pitfalls are seen in the school's preparation of the trainees. When comparing the results of the mentors’ interviews with the scientifically acknowledged theory, one can claim that the mentors’ mentoring methods are on a high level. The mentors are aware that their responsibilities include the instruction, training and assessment of the trainees, and they believe that a safe environment has an important role in passing the training successfully. Trainees, patients and hospital collective influence the internal environment of the department. Additionally, it turns out that the most challenging aspect of providing instruction from the view of the mentors is the resultant lack of time.