The good midwife: Commencing students' views

Objective: to explore commencing students' views of the good midwife. This study was set against a background of high course attrition and concerns that discordant students' views of midwifery practice may have been associated with course attrition. Design: qualitative thematic analysis. Setting: Melbourne, Australia. Participants: all commencing midwifery students, in 2008, were invited to participate (n=41). Measurements and findings: students spoke of a series of key attributes they felt were important to the role of the midwife. Most fell into the affective domain and four themes were identified: personal qualities and attitudes; a belief in women and natural birth; compatible work ethic; and the possession of additional attributes. Key conclusions and implications for practice: commencing students showed a clear understanding of the affective attributes required of a good midwife but a lesser understanding of requirements of knowledge and competence. A small number of students felt that they were already equipped to advise pregnant women, despite their early stage in the course. This is an issue that needs to be addressed. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.