P48 - Perinatal mental health: using interactive videos and simulation to develop skills in midwifery practice

Abstract

The aim of this project was to support midwifery students to develop woman centred skills and confidence in communicating with women and birthing people in the context of their perinatal mental health. Simulated activities supported by audio visual resources and assessments which simulate real-world clinical encounters aimed to strengthen teaching and learning objectives. A new Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) was piloted in 2021 in undergraduate and postgraduate pre-registration midwifery subjects ‘Perinatal mental health’ (PMH). The OSCE was designed and instituted to facilitate an authentic PMH consultation in the antenatal clinic setting. 3 rd year students volunteered to act as pregnant women, in a range of simulated clinical scenarios. Midwifery academics assessed the interaction and after the OSCE, students documented their findings in written progress notes that were also assessed. After the OSCEs, feedback was sought from assessors (midwifery staff), actors (3rd year B Mid students) and students who underwent the OSCE. The feedback was synthesised to inform the production of three interactive videos, aiming to help students prepare for their PMH OSCE and for clinical practice. Current and former students and teaching staff were involved in co-design endeavours to ensure the videos met their needs. One of the videos will be showcased as part of this presentation. Although assessment, support, and referral of women suffering from mental ill health is a core midwifery skill, there is limited opportunity for students to gain clinical placement experiences that are specific to PMH. Prior to this project there were no accessible audio-visual materials available that demonstrate how midwives in Australia work with women in relation to their mental health. Implications for practice include improving the standard of PMH screening, support and care provided by students and graduating midwives to women and birthing people in Australia.