EDUCATION FOR CLINICAL DECISION-MAKING IN MIDWIFERY PRACTICE

Objective: to present an approach to developing clinical decision-maki ng skills in midwifery students. Description: use of simulations, 'thi nking aloud' technique, reflection and the decision rules of experienc ed midwives are proposed for developing clinical-reasoning skills and acquiring skilled clinical knowledge. Implications: educators are enco uraged to recognise that skill acquisition in clinical decision making requires practise before students engage fully in the clinical settin g. The process of decision making is emphasised as essential for stude nts to experience so they develop an understanding of the clinical inf ormation attended to, the sequence in which the information is process ed and the rules used to combine information to reach clinical judgeme nts. By using clinical simulations developed from 'real cases' the pro cess of decision making is able to be experienced by students. Further , if these simulations are accompanied by the collection of verbal pro tocols, students have opportunities to retrospectively explore their d ecision making with reflection, In addition, the presentation and use of decision rules of experienced midwives has the potential to enhance the development of skills in students.