Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Medical interns; the neglected learners of the maternity ward learning environment

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

. Masoumeh Rahimi
. Fariba Haghani 1
. Shahnaz Kohan 2
. Majid Shirani 3

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

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Clinical training during internship is an important part of medical education. The
maternity ward is a clinical environment in which medical students pass their obstetrics and gynecology
internship to obtain competencies in this field. The present study was conducted to explain medical
interns’ manner of learning in the maternity ward.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study was conducted using a qualitative approach with
the inductive content analysis method. This study observed the maternity wards of teaching hospitals
affiliated to medical sciences universities of Isfahan and Shahrekord. Data were collected through
observation 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: the
incongruousness of the learning opportunities with the educational goals, inadequate readiness for
participation in learning opportunities, and the overlap between learning opportunities and diminished
autonomous practice. Inadequate formal and structured education included the following four
subcategories: inadequate learning support and direction, subordinate roles and aimless presence,
the pale educational role played by the attendants and senior residents, and learning through the
support of midwifery educators.
CONCLUSION: Participation in and access to learning opportunities in the maternity ward are very
difficult for interns. Interns, therefore, need to attend the maternity ward by a structured program and
in the company of training supervisors or competent educators to obtain the required competencies
in pregnancy and childbirth.

Keywords

Internship
learning environment
maternity ward
medical education
medical student
qualitative research
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Journal of Education and Health Promotion
Volume 11, Issue 7
August 2021
Pages 1-8

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