CONFIDENCE AND COMPETENCE: EVALUATION OF A STEPPED PERINEAL SUTURING SIMULATOR PACKAGE
Maclellan J., Aduboffour A.
Perineal trauma following birth is extremely common. However, midwives continue to report a lack of confidence in perineal assessment and repair. Dominance of online training and lack of support in practice are some of the possible reasons for practitioners to avoid suturing. Simulation training is an effective method of teaching midwifery skills but pelvic models and suturing simulators have been described as not fit for purpose. A mixed methods evaluation of a three-model stepped simulation package of responsive but robust models show that quality simulators and a supportive environment to practise increase midwives’ confidence in perineal suturing.