Life-limiting fetal conditions: Are Australian student midwives prepared? A mixed-methods survey

Aim: To document current teaching methods, curriculum, and perceived educational preparation related to the teaching of life-limiting fetal conditions, termination, and perinatal palliative care to Australian student midwives. 

Background: Australian women receiving a diagnosis of a life-limiting fetal condition are generally offered a choice between termination of pregnancy and perinatal palliative care. Midwives are often involved with caring for these women. What Australian student midwives are being taught about life-limiting fetal conditions, termination of pregnancy, and perinatal palliative care during their entry-to-practice program is unknown. 

Design: This study utilised a mixed-methods descriptive approach for data collection and analysis. 

Methods: Academic Leads of all Australian entry-to-practice midwifery programs received a questionnaire exploring topics taught, teaching time, teacher role, and perceived effectiveness of student preparation. Data was analysed statistically and thematically. 

Results: Twelve of 24 Academic Leads responded (50%); only five stated their programs taught all three areas. More respondents taught about termination of pregnancy (10/12) than perinatal palliative care (7/12). On average 5.8 ( ± 2.8) total hours was spent teaching about life-limiting fetal conditions, termination of pregnancy, and perinatal palliative care during the entire midwifery program, with a range of 1 – 10 h. The free-text data identified three central themes: lack of value within the curriculum; disconnect between the university and the placement hospital; and preparation for practice. Most (10/12) Academic Leads did not believe student midwives are prepared to care for affected families. 

Conclusions: Entry-to-practice midwifery programs vary considerably in their education surrounding life-limiting fetal conditions, however teaching hours overall were low and most Academic leads did not feel (or know if) their students were adequately prepared. Further research is required to determine if early career midwives find their university education in life-limiting fetal conditions adequate preparation for practice, and to then remediate identified deficiencies.