Medical interns; the neglected learners of the maternity ward learning environment
نویسندگان
1 1 Department of Medical Education, Medical Education Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
2 Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
3 Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
4
doi
چکیده
BACKGROUND: Clinical training during internship is an important part of medical education. Thematernity ward is a clinical environment in which medical students pass their obstetrics and gynecologyinternship to obtain competencies in this field. The present study was conducted to explain medicalinterns’ manner of learning in the maternity ward.MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study was conducted using a qualitative approach withthe inductive content analysis method. This study observed the maternity wards of teaching hospitalsaffiliated to medical sciences universities of Isfahan and Shahrekord. Data were collected throughobservation and semi‑structured individual interviews.RESULTS: Two main categories and seven subcategories emerged from the analysis of the data.Inadequate participation in learning opportunities included the following three subcategories: theincongruousness of the learning opportunities with the educational goals, inadequate readiness forparticipation in learning opportunities, and the overlap between learning opportunities and diminishedautonomous practice. Inadequate formal and structured education included the following foursubcategories: inadequate learning support and direction, subordinate roles and aimless presence,the pale educational role played by the attendants and senior residents, and learning through thesupport of midwifery educators.CONCLUSION: Participation in and access to learning opportunities in the maternity ward are verydifficult for interns. Interns, therefore, need to attend the maternity ward by a structured program andin the company of training supervisors or competent educators to obtain the required competenciesin pregnancy and childbirth.
