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Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to recognize the importance of seising lessons from experience, encouraged by the proven practices of Japanese midwives.
Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to acquire new perspectives on midwifery experience, discovering a set of experience which is required to develop one’s career.
In order to identify practice-based knowledge acquired by midwives, ten midwives with up to ten years in midwifery (“younger group” 4.75 years in midwifery on average) and 21 midwives with a longer experience (“older group” 19.75 years) were asked to talk about memorable experiences between January 2008 and November 2009. Narratives were analyzed using Kelly’s method. This research had a prior approval of the Ethical Committee of Sapporo Medical University.
Nine categories of knowledge identified from the younger group include:- determining whether to wait in the prolonged delivery or not; visually estimating the bleeding and urination volume; assessing the need for episiotomy/avoiding perineum laceration; coping with sudden changes in condition of mother/baby; realizing grave responsibilities because “every childbirth is unique and anything can happen”. Among the underlying experiences were building a relationship gradually; providing care to high risk cases; feedback, self-reflection and realizing limits of own ability/midwifery.
11 categories extracted from the older group include:- engaging with the woman discreetly, allowing her body to take its natural course; knowing one’s remit; assessing the fetal condition and the women’s states through visual inspection/ palpation; “challenges where one’s accountability is at stake sharpen own ability to judge; and “the full moon influences childbirth”. The underlying experiences include providing continuous care throughout pregnancy; staying with the woman during labor, allowing her to give birth her way where possible; arranging transfer to hospital; knowing one’s limit; training in palpation and inspection; learning from failures and others.
Those up to ten years in midwifery are expected to have acquired knowledge on how to deal with sudden changes in condition and provide case-specific care while realizing own responsibilities. Those with a longer experience are expected to have built the ability to detect problems, assess the woman’s inner feelings and do the best within own remit.
See more of: World Academy of Nursing Science: Oral Paper & Posters