Abstract
Background: Effective collaboration and communication between doctors and midwives is essential when providing safe maternity care. However, medical and midwifery students have traditionally not intentionally learnt together. They may know little about each other's roles and skillsets; let alone how to work collaboratively together.
Methods: Following an earlier pilot in 2021, two different cohorts of 5th year medical students from University of Otago Wellington and first year midwifery students from Victoria University of Wellington completed interprofessional education (IPE) sessions led by medicine and midwifery facilitators. The sessions were evaluated by students completing: 1. pre and post session questionnaires regarding their perceptions and knowledge each other's disciplines and contribution to maternity care; 2. post session focus groups. Modifications were made to the second session as a result of feedback.
Results: Although both cohorts gave positive responses to the IPE, the second cohort were more enthusiastic after the modifications, with 100% versus 76% agreeing it was valuable. Both midwifery and medicine students reported they enjoyed meeting each other and learning together and were keen for future IPE opportunities. The learning objectives of gaining knowledge about the roles of the other profession and understanding the importance of collaboration were met. Students highlighted the importance of the small group format, opportunity for whakawhanaungatanga (building relationships), informal interactive learning method and the supportive environment created by facilitators.
Conclusions: Successful IPE does not just happen. It needs to be carefully planned and feedback sought to ensure that the learning needs of each discipline are met.