Evaluation of midwives’ communication skills

Abstract

Background: Communication is the core clinical skill in primary health care. Diagnostics, treatment, and prevention always take place within a context of communication. Midwives are often the primary maternal-child health providers, and the way in which they communicate with patients can have a significant effect on health outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate midwives’ communication skills in relation to their demographic characteristics. Methods: Fifty midwives working in clinics in Tehran, Iran participated in a correlational survey. Data collection methods included an observer checklist used to rate the frequency of midwives’ communication skills application during midwife–client encounters and a questionnaire-guided interview to obtain demographic information. Results: The midwives’ communication skills (verbal and nonverbal) were undesirable. There was no relation between midwives’ age, work experience, educational status, economic satisfaction, or number of clients and their use of communication skills. However, there was a relationship between marital status and nonverbal communication skills used (P<0.07). Single participants had better nonverbal communication skills than married midwives. Conclusions: Midwives’ communication skills may be undesirable and not improved by work experience. Thus, interim training programmes administered by experienced personnel using effective educational methods are recommended for practicing midwives. Furthermore, it would be of value to add communication skills training to the midwifery curriculum.