1.8.2. A systematic review of international literature of post-registration nursing and midwifery education, using Barr's et al (1999) evaluative framework (288)

Harry Gijbels, Senior Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland Co authors: Caroline Dalton-O'Connor, Rhona O'Connell & Moira O'Donovan h.gijbels@ucc.ie

Abstract:

Background:

A systematic review of international literature of post-registration nursing and midwifery education was commissioned by a Post Registration Nursing and Midwifery Education Review group, established by the Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland, as part of their work to prepare a comprehensive post-registration nursing and midwifery education strategy.

Aims:

This paper presents the results of this review, and focuses in particular on an evaluation of the impact of post registration and post graduate nursing and midwifery education from a nurse, midwife, patient, carer, health service and educational perspective.

Methods:

The review was guided in its assessment and analysis by Barr’s et al (1999) evaluative framework, and a checklist of relevant methodological and inclusion criteria, including criteria for classifying the type of evidence (I-V).

Results:

100 research papers met the criteria set. The studies were mainly of a retrospective, descriptive nature (type IV and V evidence). Only a few studies were of an experimental nature (type 3 evidence). One study (Carpenter et al, 2006) met both the criteria of type II evidence, and Barr’s et al (1999) criteria. Using Barr’s et al (1999) framework, the findings indicate that students benefit from post registration and postgraduate education in relation to changes in attitudes, perceptions, and knowledge and skill acquisition. There is some evidence that students apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills. The evidence that patients and carers benefit is less convincing. There is limited evidence of the direct impact on organisational and service delivery changes.

Discussion & conclusion:

Within the context of a culture of evidence based practice, it is surprising that a coherent, systematic and comprehensive evidence base of the impact of post registration and postgraduate nursing and midwifery education on practice is currently lacking. There is a need to develop nationally agreed criteria to evaluate post registration programmes.

Biography:

Harry Gijbels trained as a psychiatric nurse in the mid 1970's in the Netherlands. He worked for nearly 20 years in London, of which the last 10 years in nursing education. He has lived and worked in Ireland since the late 1990's. He is a senior lecturer in nursing in University College Cork, where he teaches on both under and post graduate courses, and undertakes research in psychiatric nursing. The presentation today stems from work commissioned by the Post Registration Nursing and Midwifery Education Review group, which was established by the Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland, as part of their work to prepare a comprehensive post-registration nursing and midwifery education strategy.