Benefits of continuity of care in building mutual support and nurturing between women and midwifery students. Does continuity of care foster clinical confidence, emotional resilience, and influence career goals?

Introduction: Continuity of care models in midwifery practice have been embraced across Australia and since inception have robustly demonstrated improved outcomes for both mothers and babies. Continuity models of care have been widely accepted into tertiary midwifery education programs across Australia. CQUniversity has also implemented this into its Bachelor of Midwifery (Graduate Entry) program. Historically, much research has focused upon the benefits of Continuity of Care to midwives, women, and their families. CQUniversity has conducted research into, not only the womens experiences but also the student experiences of Continuity of Care, with an emphasis upon mutual support, nuturing and student clincal confidence, emotional resilience and career goals. Aim: To explore the experiences of pregnant women and midwifery students who have undertaken the continuity of care program within the Bachelor of Midwifery (Graduate Entry) with an emphasis upon the bilateral/mutual psychological support between women and midwifery students. The focus of the research is to ascertain the degree of emotional/psychological support experienced between the woman and the midwifery student. Did this support manifest or not? If so, did this foster in the student, clinical confidence, emotional resilience and an enthusiasm to work as a registered midwife in a continuity model of care. In essence, did the continuity of care program undertaken at CQUniversity motivate students towards a career in continuity of midwifery care? Methodology: A descriptive retrospective cohort design will be implemented, using a survey/questionnaire of women and midwifery students for a qualitative and descriptive study that is framed against the continuity of care philosophy. Conclusions and implications for practice: This is the first study for CQUniversity into the psychological and emotional outcomes for women and student midwives within the continuity of care program. We aim to build upon this study to follow up graduates and ascertain if their career evolved into positions within a continuity of care model. We will review and evaluate our continuity of care experiences for future students in accordance.