A blended learning perineal suturing programme for midwifery students: An evaluative descriptive study

The purpose of this study was to examine midwifery students' views and experiences of learning perineal suturing skills through a blended learning approach. Evidence suggests that not all midwifery students are gaining sufficient experience in perineal trauma and suturing to sufficiently prepare them to achieve competency in this skill at the point of registration. The blended learning approach included lectures, a bespoke ‘suture at home kit’, online reusable learning objects, and an optional face-to-face drop-in suture clinic. Midwifery students submitted a video demonstration of the skills acquired and then attended a clinical skills laboratory in preparation for a face-to-face competency assessment on campus. A qualitative descriptive evaluation research design study was undertaken from 22 participants. Deductive thematic analysis was selected to analyse the qualitative data. Two themes were identified. The first theme, 'learning at home', included sub-themes of 'deliberate practice' and 'the ability to make mistakes. The second theme, 'achieving competency', included sub-themes of 'equipment' and 'bringing it all together' The blended learning approach of the programme applied to teach perineal suturing had a positive influence on midwifery students learning of the skill. The acquisition of knowledge using the suture at home kit gave the students confidence and prepared them for laboratory practice and assessment, and ultimately prepared them for practice placement. They identified other clinical skills suited to using an 'at home' simulation pack. The validation of the perineal suturing programme by midwifery students supports the need for a blended learning approach for this and other clinical skills. All participants expressed a positive view of the programme and found it beneficial for their learning. Midwifery students recognised that the suture at home kit gave them confidence, knowledge of the skill and preparedness for the clinical skills laboratory practice and assessment. They identified other clinical skills suited to using an 'at home' simulation pack. The positive experiences of midwifery students in this study to a blended-learning programme for perineal suturing education and training further validated the recognised need to develop and include online, and face to face learning approaches for this vital aspect of intrapartum care.