Investigating the Impact of Maternal Birth Simulator Training on Critical Thinking Skills Among Community Midwife Diploma Students: A Quasi-experimental Study

Abstract

Background: Maternal and neonatal health outcomes are profoundly influenced by the competencies of midwives, especially in community settings where access to advanced medical facilities may be limited. This quasi-experimental study aims to address this gap by investigating the influence of maternal birth simulator training on the critical thinking skills of community midwife diploma students.

Methodology: This quasi-experimental study involved ninety-one second-year Midwife Diploma Program students from Zafar and Atia College, Kohi Goth Hospital, and Malir Nursing College, divided into simulation (n = 45) and traditional learning (n = 46) groups. Pretest assessment with the Health Science Reasoning Test (HSRT) was conducted before a one-month intervention. The simulation group received maternal birth simulator training, while the traditional learning group engaged in conventional instruction methods. Posttest assessment with the HSRT enabled a comparison of critical thinking skill development between the two groups.

Results: Statistically significant differences were observed in mean critical thinking scores between the simulation and traditional learning groups (284.81 ± 27.98 vs. 300.94 ± 31.67, p = 0.008), indicating higher critical thinking abilities in the simulation group. Moreover, the simulation group demonstrated greater course satisfaction compared to the traditional learning group (84.81 ± 8.49 vs. 90.19 ± 8.41, p = 0.002) as assessed by repeated measures mixed analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Conclusion: Maternal birth simulator training significantly enhances critical thinking skills among midwifery students compared to traditional learning methods. Additionally, the simulation-based approach is associated with higher levels of course satisfaction, emphasizing its potential as an effective educational strategy for improving midwifery education and ultimately enhancing maternal and neonatal health outcomes.