Can peers improve student retention? Exploring the roles peers play in midwifery education programmes in Canada.

Autor: Neiterman E; School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada. Electronic address: eneiterman@uwaterloo.ca., Beggs B; School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada., HakemZadeh F; School of Human Resources Management, York University, 4700 Keele St, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada., Zeytinoglu I; De Groote School of Business, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada., Geraci J; College of Midwives of Ontario, 21 St Clair Ave E #303, Toronto, ON M4T 1L9, Canada., Plenderleith J; De Groote School of Business, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada., Lobb D; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives [Women Birth] 2023 Jul; Vol. 36 (4), pp. e453-e459. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Feb 18.
DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2023.02.004
Abstrakt: Problem: Peer support is understudied as a factor that can impact midwifery student retention.
Background: Retention of midwifery students is essential for creating a sustainable maternity care workforce. Research shows that peer support positively influences students' experiences, but it needs more focus on the role peers play in student retention.
Aim: We aimed to examine how peer support can facilitate midwifery students' retention by exploring the role peers play in students' experiences and identifying the types of support students offer each other.
Methods: We conducted 31 semi-structured interviews with students attending Midwifery Education Programmes across Canada. Data were analysed inductively, following the constructivist grounded theory method.
Findings: While motivated and engaged peers improved students' learning experiences and desire to remain in their program, peers who created an overly competitive academic environment hindered learning. Students also noted that a lack of diversity, particularly of Black and Indigenous peers, limited their ability to learn about culturally safe care. Most students felt a sense of community and relied on one another for emotional, academic, and instrumental support.
Discussion: Peer support has mostly positive effects on student learning and should be formalized by midwifery educators to improve retention. Reducing pressure to succeed, targeting recruitment of students who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour, and establishing formal mentorship programmes could enhance the role peers play in student retention.
Conclusion: While retention of students is a complex issue, positive interactions with peers can create a stimulating learning environment and increase students' desire to stay in their programme.
Competing Interests: Conflict of interest All authors would like to confirm that they have no financial or other interest and no conflict of interest of any kind relevant to the publication of this study.
(Copyright © 2023 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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