Students stand at the door: exploring views on professionalism in midwifery spaces

Abstract

Background/Aims Midwifery students learn and adopt complex professional behaviours in a variety of academic and clinical settings throughout their educational journey. The aims of this study were to explore how midwifery students understand the concept of professionalism and how their professional identity develops during midwifery education. Methods A conversation about professionalism with a group of final year midwifery students was transcribed ‘in the moment’ and immediately performed to the group as poetry. Themes emerging from analysis of the conversation are also presented as poetry. Results Midwifery students, moving between university and practice, emphasised the importance of close connections between these spaces and the role models in them, for learning. External constraints generated a sense of fear and stress that was seen to limit midwives' ability to properly support the needs of ‘their woman’. Conclusions The notion of ‘spaces’ is important in maternity care and developing education for future midwives. Poetry is a useful multidimensional tool in research.