Supporting Timor-Leste midwives and nurses through an educational program: An evaluative study

Little is currently known about the impacts of participation in a five-week Australian maternal and newborn health training program for Timorese midwives and nurses. Background: The maternal mortality rate in Timor-Leste is estimated to be around 204 per 100,000 live births, and there is a correlation between safe and quality maternal and newborn health services. Hence, there is a need to develop the nation’s maternity workforce. Whilst numerous training programs have been geared towards improving the knowledge and skills of Timorese midwives and nurses, to date, no published study has evaluated their impact on participants. Aim: To describe satisfaction of an Australian maternal and newborn health training program for Timorese midwives and nurses and its impact based upon the participants survey and qualitative evaluations. Methods: An evaluative study was conducted using a survey to explore the impacts of a five-week Australian residential training program on 12 Timorese midwives and one nurse. Findings: The survey data demonstrated an increase in the participants knowledge and skills required to provide enhanced maternal and newborn care; post-training, most participants demonstrated increased knowledge of obstetric emergencies. The participants showed the most pronounced increase in Advanced Clinical Skills in the subjects of fetal assessment, neonatal resuscitation and obstetric emergencies. The qualitative data identified two main themes and six subthemes related to professionalism, communication, and connections. Conclusion: An Australian residential training program, provided in collaboration with local Rotary clubs can enhance the development of maternal and newborn healthcare skills for midwives and nurses from Timor-Leste.