Midwifery educators' experiences and perceptions following a high-fidelity birth simulator workshop

Midwifery is a practice-based profession requiring new graduates to be equipped with the necessary practical skills to enter the profession, yet it is often not possible to provide the full range of skill-learning in the practice areas. It is known that skill-learning through simulation in midwifery is beneficial and an essential component of pre-registration curricula, as well as enhancing post-registration continuing professional development courses and individual study days (Haigh, 2007; Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2009; McCaughey and Traynor, 2010; Cooper et al, 2012).

High-fidelity simulation is increasing in popularity. Bland et al (2014) define fidelity in midwifery education as aiming to replicate a realistic clinical experience. Teaching with high-fidelity simulators has proven useful in improving clinical judgement and for teaching and evaluating some clinical skills (Harder et al, 2013), providing innovative approaches to traditional educational methods (McNeill et al, 2012).