Global Standards for Midwifery Education – Practical/Clinical Experience Supplementary Guide

Introduction

Practical / clinical experience is a critical component of midwifery education programmes.  The ICM Global Standards for Midwifery Education define midwifery education as ‘The process of learning theory and developing the necessary skills and behaviours to become competent midwives.’

Developing competency depends on bringing together theory, skills, and behaviours in a variety of interactions with women and gender diverse people seeking sexual, reproductive maternal newborn and adolescent healthcare services ( SRMNAH).  Practical/clinical experience is where students increasingly integrate knowledge and skills, demonstrate critical thinking, and formulate plans of care that contribute to health and well-being.  The practical experience component must be well planned and afford sufficient time to meet the Essential Competencies for Midwifery Practice (2024).

This document contains advice and suggestions to help midwife educators meet the ICM Global Standards for Midwifery Education (2021) that pertain to practical/clinical experience. Readers should review the entire ICM Global Standards for Midwifery Education document to understand the context of the specific standards about practical/clinical experience.

Using this Document

The ICM Global Standards for Midwifery Education about practical/clinical experience are grouped into two categories:

• Standards about the physical sites for obtaining clinical experience, and the variety of maternity and sexual reproductive services  provided in those sites;
• Standards about the roles of midwife educators, clinical preceptors/ teachers, and students.

This document presents each standard on practical/clinical experience followed by a brief discussion and points for consideration to analyse how a programme of study meets the standard. The points for consideration help in determining what faculty and programme administrators need to put in place to ensure that the practical/clinical experience meets the ICM Global Standards for Midwifery Education and provides a positive and supportive experience for both the student and the clinical preceptor/teacher.