Abstract:
To elicit factors influencing practising midwives
with regard to tertiary study, a national survey
was distributed attracting 386 responses from
midwives working in a variety of settings. Many
midwives engaged in tertiary study, cited personal
interest and practice development as motivational
factors, with midwifery practice topics providing
the most interest. However midwives' time restrictions,
the cost of papers and lack of financial or
other incentives inhibited study. Midwives preferred
face-to-facc delivery with other midwives
rather than mixed classes, followed by distance
delivery with paper-based materials. Mixed modes
of face-to-face and distance, or Internet based
delivery, were not favoured by the midwives.
These factors should be considered when designing
tertiary programmes for practising midwives,
incorporating adequate information, interaction
and communication.
