Challenges Faced by Midwifery Facilitators in Providing Midwifery Education

In today's world of technology and advanced educational development being a catalyst in midwifery education brings in many challenges. To flourish in this competitive world midwifery teachers have to be competent themselves to serve their stakeholders. This proficiency develops gradually but one also needs to be prepared of the changing trends and equip to sustain and survive in the field of midwifery education. Enormous experience of the researchers in the midwifery education made them understand that teachers face many challenges in providing midwifery education, hence a qualitative study on the challenges faced by midwifery facilitators in providing midwifery education, with the objective of exploring these challenges was undertaken. Materials& Methods: A qualitative approach with phenomenological designed was adopted for the study, the total samples was 12 and were selected through a non-probability purposive sampling technique. Variables studied were experiences of midwifery facilitator's. Interviews were tape-recorded using a data collection tool which consisted of demographic profile& a guiding questionnaire. Results: Thematic analysis was done to identify codes and sub-themes and themes were generated.40 codes were identified and the themes were generated as 1. Specific midwifery courses, 2. Independent course on midwifery 3. Changes in the learning experiences& opportunities, 4. Inadequate facilities at the clinical areas, 5. Competencies of the teachers, 6. Equipped laboratory Conclusion: The study brought out the fact midwifery education is becoming more of a theoretical learning rather than a skill based education. Participants expressed that it was difficult for them to implement practice sessions for their learners, also the number of learners have increased with an increase in the number of educational sectors. There is dilution of input as a result when learners seek employment they are not in a position to replicate what is expected of them.