Evaluation of a pilot online education program to develop midwives’ knowledge, skill and confidence in perinatal mental health in rural South Australia

Journal article

McKellar, Lois, Martinez, Lee, De Sousa Machado, Tiffany, Eden, Amye, Stoodley, Cathy and Adelson, Pamela. (2024). Evaluation of a pilot online education program to develop midwives’ knowledge, skill and confidence in perinatal mental health in rural South Australia. Women and Birth. 37(2), pp. 355-361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2023.11.005
AuthorsMcKellar, Lois, Martinez, Lee, De Sousa Machado, Tiffany, Eden, Amye, Stoodley, Cathy and Adelson, Pamela
Abstract

One in five women will experience perinatal anxiety and/or depression. In South Australia, a rural health service identified a high proportion of women with risk of perinatal mental health challenges and sought additional education for midwives. In response, a six-week facilitated, online perinatal mental health education program (e-PMHEP) was piloted.

Aim
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the (e-PMHEP) for rural midwives, nurses and Aboriginal maternal infant care practitioners.

Method
Program evaluation incorporated a validated online pre/post survey to assess self-reported knowledge, skill and confidence regarding perinatal mental healthcare. Additional questions sought feedback on satisfaction and feasibility.

Findings
Sixteen participants from rural South Australia engaged in the project from June to August 2022. Twelve participants completed the online pre/post survey. The overall pre/post knowledge scores were statistically significant (t = 2.73, 8df, p = 0.025) with improvement from the pre to post-test. Pre/post data also showed a measurable increase in confidence and skills. All respondents agreed that the content addressed their learning needs and would recommend this program to other practitioners.

Discussion
The e-PMHEP appeared beneficial in developing knowledge, skills and confidence regarding perinatal mental healthcare in rural midwives and practitioners. Only a third of practitioners routinely developed a mental health care plan with women. Key strengths of the program included the accessible content, and the combination of an experienced mental health clinician and a facilitator with lived experience.

Conclusion
Providing an accessible, facilitated online perinatal mental health education program could be beneficial for rural midwives.

Keywordsrural /regional; midwife; perinatal mental health; education
Year2024
JournalWomen and Birth
Journal citation37 (2), pp. 355-361
PublisherElsevier Ltd
ISSN1871-5192
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2023.11.005
PubMed ID38072708
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85179701305
Open accessPublished as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
Page range355-361
FunderCountry South Australian Primary Health Network
Publisher's version
License
File Access Level
Open
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online09 Dec 2023
Publication process dates
Accepted23 Nov 2023
Deposited27 Mar 2025
Additional information

2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Australian College of Midwives. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

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