Midwives in Medical Student and Resident Education and the Development of the Medical Education Caucus Toolkit

Abstract

Midwives have been involved formally and informally in the training of medical students and residents for many years. Recent reductions in resident work hours, emphasis on collaborative practice, and a focus on midwives as key members of the maternity care model have increased the involvement of midwives in medical education. Midwives work in academic settings as educators to teach the midwifery model of care, collaboration, teamwork, and professionalism to medical students and residents. In 2009, members of the American College of Nurse-Midwives formed the Medical Education Caucus (MECA) to discuss the needs of midwives teaching medical students and residents; the group has held a workshop annually over the last 4 years. In 2014, MECA workshop facilitators developed a toolkit to support and formalize the role of midwives involved in medical student and resident education. The MECA toolkit provides a roadmap for midwives beginning involvement and continuing or expanding the role of midwives in medical education. This article describes the history of midwives in medical education, the development and growth of MECA, and the resulting toolkit created to support and formalize the role of midwives as educators in medical student and resident education, as well as common challenges for the midwife in academic medicine. This article is part of a special series of articles that address midwifery innovations in clinical practice, education, interprofessional collaboration, health policy, and global health.

Medical students learning experiences of the labour ward: a qualitative research study

“…Integrated teaching between different teams has proven beneficial. There is recognition of the value the teacher brings and reports of positive clinical learning experiences [10]. In joint psychological and obstetric teaching ward rounds for medical students integrated session reported students being better prepared for the psycho-social aspects of obstetrics [11].…”

“…Many midwives (>97%) who teach have more than five years clinical experience, with nearly three quarters having more than five years experience teaching medical and midwifery students [12]. It is acknowledged that many academic practices are moving towards collaborative interdisciplinary teaching models [10]. At present midwives can teach medical students but there are no national standards or expectations.…”

Interprofessional Education Between Midwifery Students and Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents: An American College of Nurse‐Midwives and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Collaboration

“…ACOG and ACNM agree there is a need for more of both types of perintal care providers . Midwives teach in many residency programs . Testing IPE models at these locations first is one way to examine opportunities to expand educational opportunities for midwifery students.…”

Lactation Education for Resident Obstetricians: Promoting Breastfeeding Advocates for the Future

“…17 Midwifery involvement in resident education has been well documented and associated with positive outcomes. 18 Given the higher rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration of patients receiving midwifery care and the posi- tive outcomes of midwifery-led residency education, midwives are well poised to spearhead breastfeeding education as part of an interprofessional model. Ogburn et al reported on a breastfeeding medicine curriculum developed by a multidisciplinary team of pediatricians, obstetrician-gynecologists, family health care providers, and one midwife.…”

“…Midwifery involvement in resident education has been well documented and associated with positive outcomes . Given the higher rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration of patients receiving midwifery care and the positive outcomes of midwifery‐led residency education, midwives are well poised to spearhead breastfeeding education as part of an interprofessional model.…”