Using digital branching scenario technology in midwifery education

Conference item


Edwards, E. and Parsons, R. 2023. Using digital branching scenario technology in midwifery education. 7th EMA Education Conference - Midwifery Education in the Future . Athens, Greece 26 - 29 Oct 2023 pp. 114 https://doi.org/10.18332/ejm/172193
TitleUsing digital branching scenario technology in midwifery education
AuthorsEdwards, E. and Parsons, R.
Abstract

- Background
The face of midwifery education is rapidly evolving; innovative and exciting technologies are becoming a core aspect of training. This reflects societal changes and reliance on technology and ensures our curriculums follows the same trajectory. Branching scenarios have regularly been used in gaming technology and can be applied to bridge the theory-practice gap. This technology allows midwifery students to approach clinical decision-making in a safe and non-judgmental environment. The aim of this game was to place the learner at the centre of a realistic scenario and give them the opportunity to navigate the complexities of communication in clinical practice in a theoretical environment.
- Development
After student consultation, scenarios were chosen that enabled them to approach challenging communication situations, such as deescalating a conflictual situation or language barriers. Scripts were written in collaboration with the Arts and Creative department. Scenarios were filmed and incorporated into branching scenario technology that fully was fully integrated to the virtual learning environment.
This game was incorporated into the midwifery curriculum and after ethical approval, was tested with midwifery students across the UK. Qualitative feedback showed that students found the game engaging, realistic and that they wished to see more scenarios and continue to learn in an interactive environment. There is a considerable body of research that shows that effective feedback leads to effective learning.
- Implications for education
Digital technology can appear dehumanised, but the inclusion of realistic scenarios and environments centres the learner within a virtual environment. Branching scenarios present an opportunity for feedback as the learner makes decisions and gains precise, concise, and contextualised feedback without direct educator involvement. This project demonstrates the capacity to implement technology-based learning in the midwifery curriculum in an engaging and interactive way and makes learning enjoyable.
Exposing students to realistic scenarios also enables educators to demonstrate positive role modelling in terms of communication, which can be difficult to guarantee in practice. Students will naturally assimilate behaviour they witness and demonstrating good practice improves patient care and experience. Watching a role model will increase student motivation and lessen student anxiety.

Sustainable Development Goals4 Quality education
Middlesex University ThemeHealth & Wellbeing
Conference7th EMA Education Conference - Midwifery Education in the Future
Page range114
Proceedings TitleAbstract Book of the 7th EMA Education Conference - European Journal of Midwifery, Supplement 1/2023 vol. 7
SeriesEuropean Journal of Midwifery
ISSN
Electronic2585-2906
Publication dates
Print24 Oct 2023
Publication process dates
Accepted24 Apr 2023
Deposited02 Oct 2023
Output statusPublished
Copyright Statement

Edwards, E., Parsons, R. (2023). Using digital branching scenario technology in midwifery education. European Journal of Midwifery, 7(Supplement 1):A186. https://doi.org/10.18332/ejm/172193
Copyright: © 2023 Edwards and Parsons
License: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC‑BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and its authors credited.

Additional information

Lecture: Using digital branching scenario technology in midwifery education

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.18332/ejm/172193
Related Output
Is part ofhttps://www.europeanjournalofmidwifery.eu/dl/i/pdf/520/7b25092873951ec834197f19d9c819d5/
LanguageEnglish
Permalink -

https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/qzz49

  • 102
    total views
  • 0
    total downloads
  • 2
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Supporting neurodivergent learners and staff
Major, R., Edwards, E., Eames, J., Porter, N., Harley, N. and Jackson, C. 2024. Supporting neurodivergent learners and staff. NHS Learning Hub.
The Professional Midwifery Advocate (PMA) role in supporting and advocating for neurodivergent colleagues
Edwards, E. 2024. The Professional Midwifery Advocate (PMA) role in supporting and advocating for neurodivergent colleagues . National Professional Midwifery Advocate (PMA) Conference. Online 11 - 11 Oct 2024
Revitalise and revolutionise: a student-centred curriculum
Parsons, R. and Killingley, J. 2024. Revitalise and revolutionise: a student-centred curriculum. The Practising Midwife. 27 (5), pp. 39-41. https://doi.org/10.55975/DKGZ1257
From changing childbirth to better births: a critical discourse analysis of maternity policies in the NHS
Parsons, R. 2024. From changing childbirth to better births: a critical discourse analysis of maternity policies in the NHS. 2024 Middlesex University Research Student Summer Conference. Middlesex University 03 - 04 Jul 2024
Neurodivergence acceptance in midwifery education - Toolkit
Edwards, E., Handley-Stone, R., Richards, K. and Porter, N. 2024. Neurodivergence acceptance in midwifery education - Toolkit . Royal College of Midwives Annual Conference 2024. Liverpool, UK 08 - 09 May 2024
How can we create accessible and inclusive learning environments for neurodivergent students?
Edwards, E. 2023. How can we create accessible and inclusive learning environments for neurodivergent students? TES Global.
THE Awards spotlight: Most Innovative Teacher of the Year - lessons learned: what makes an effective university teacher?
Allsop, C., Buchanan, B., Chew, E., Edwards, E., Taylor, L. and Warren, R. 2023. THE Awards spotlight: Most Innovative Teacher of the Year - lessons learned: what makes an effective university teacher? THE Campus Live UK&IE 2023. Liverpool, UK 06 - 07 Dec 2023
Neurodivergence awareness in midwifery education
Edwards, E. 2023. Neurodivergence awareness in midwifery education. Royal College of Midwives Student Midwives Conference 2023. Doncaster, UK 21 - 21 Nov 2023
Neurodivergence awareness in midwifery education
Edwards, E. 2023. Neurodivergence awareness in midwifery education. Student Midwife Conference 2023: Working together and learning together. Doncaster, UK 21 - 21 Nov 2023
Supporting neurodivergent midwives in the workplace
Edwards, E., Smith, M., Fischer-Jenkins, K., Williams, H., Brown, S., Powell, S. and Marsh, H. 2023. Supporting neurodivergent midwives in the workplace. CNO Conference 2023. Cardiff, UK 13 - 13 Oct 2023
Neurodiversity in the workplace
Edwards, E. 2023. Neurodiversity in the workplace. Royal College of Midwives.
Supporting autistic midwifery students: fostering inclusion and empowerment
Edwards, E. 2023. Supporting autistic midwifery students: fostering inclusion and empowerment. MIDIRS Midwifery Digest. 33 (4), pp. 302-304.
Using digital technology: Educating midwives about neurodiversity
Edwards, E., Smith, M. and Bower, H. 2023. Using digital technology: Educating midwives about neurodiversity. 7th EMA Education Conference - Midwifery Education in the Future . Athens, Greece 26 - 29 Oct 2023 pp. 12 https://doi.org/10.18332/ejm/171948
Neurodiversity and education
Edwards, E. 2023. Neurodiversity and education. Royal College of Midwives Education and Research Conference 2023. Birmingham, UK 27 - 28 Mar 2023
How can midwives and educators better understand, teach and support neurodivergent students?
Edwards, E., Rayner, S. and Porter, N. 2022. How can midwives and educators better understand, teach and support neurodivergent students? The Practising Midwife. 25 (8), pp. 32-34. https://doi.org/10.55975/WSQA8919
Human rights in childbearing 3. Providing sensitive antenatal care for autistic women and birthing people
Rayner, S., Porter, N. and Edwards, E. 2022. Human rights in childbearing 3. Providing sensitive antenatal care for autistic women and birthing people. The Practising Midwife. 25 (10), pp. 14-17. https://doi.org/10.55975/BRWP4714
From practice to research
Parsons, R. 2022. From practice to research. MIDIRS Midwifery Digest. 31 (4), pp. 419-420.
Populations and samples
Parsons, R. 2022. Populations and samples. MIDIRS Midwifery Digest. 31 (4), pp. 423-424.
What is data?
Parsons, R. 2022. What is data? MIDIRS Midwifery Digest. 32 (1), pp. 10-11.
How to collect data
Parsons, R. 2022. How to collect data. MIDIRS Midwifery Digest. 31 (1), pp. 11-12.
Qualitative data analysis
Parsons, R. 2022. Qualitative data analysis. MIDIRS Midwifery Digest. 32 (2), pp. 148-149.
Midwifery knowledge - a place for research
Parsons, R. 2021. Midwifery knowledge - a place for research. MIDIRS Midwifery Digest. 31 (3), pp. 285-287.
'Qualitative' versus 'quantitative' - what is the difference?.
Parsons, R. 2021. 'Qualitative' versus 'quantitative' - what is the difference?. MIDIRS Midwifery Digest. 31 (3), p. 288.
How to read a research paper
Parsons, R. 2021. How to read a research paper. MIDIRS Midwifery Digest. 31 (3), pp. 289-289.
Changing knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards cytomegalovirus in pregnancy through film-based antenatal education: a feasibility randomised controlled trial of a digital educational intervention
Calvert, A., Vandrevela, T., Parsons, R., Barber, V., Book, A., Book, G., Carrington, D., Greening, V., Griffiths, P., Hake, D., Khalil, A., Luck S., Montague, A., Star, C., Ster, I., Wood, S., Heath, P. and Jones, C. 2021. Changing knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards cytomegalovirus in pregnancy through film-based antenatal education: a feasibility randomised controlled trial of a digital educational intervention. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-03979-z