Training the trainers – sharing skills and experience

Cardiff University Midwifery lecturers run a highly successful training course for midwives at the University of Namibia.

Lecturers, Grace Thomas and Sarah Davies, accompanied by Kerry Phillips, Senior Midwife at Aneurin Bevan UHB, ran the highly successful 4-day workshop for midwives at UNAM’s Windhoek campus. A previous visit by the team had identified that the midwifery lecturers have access to low fidelity simulation equipment but they requested support on how to develop simulation education effectively. The Training Simulation and Skill Trainers workshop brought together 24 participants from a range of clinical practice including maternity units in Windhoek; senior midwifery managers and lecturers from the three UNAM campuses where nurse/midwives learn; as well as lecturers/practice teachers from other private institutions.

All engaged fully in the workshop, which was evaluated extremely positively. Participants reported that they enjoyed learning how to plan simulation effectively, utilising scripts and ensuring that debriefing takes place with students/clinicians after simulation.

One participant commented: “I will start to plan and script my simulation sessions. This is something new to me and very important in simulation teaching that can improve the success of the simulation session."

Another excellent outcome of this visit is that nurse/midwife students at the south Keetmanshoop Campus of UNAM have launched the first Midwifery Society in Namibia, with the support of Cardiff University Midwifery Society and students from both universities have commenced a virtual "buddying" scheme to enable sharing of ideas and best practice in midwifery.

Grace said, “We have been asked to continue this work by visiting the Oshakati campus next time in order to reach where the challenges of rural communities presents the need for skilled, updated midwives.  We hope to return in February 2017.”