La Trobe University has partnered with GV Health’s maternity unit to trial a new placement model, learning in pairs.
The pilot has been used successfully overseas for years, allowing for more sustainable and supportive environments — and in turn increases placement capacity.
La Trobe University midwifery lecturer Helen Nightingale said the pilot had been immensely successful, and a second phase was planned later this year, with hopes to expand it across other regional settings.
“The report so far from the pilot is very positive … so we are really keen to expand that and see other maternity services consider this type of placement approach as well,” she said.
This new approach motivates students to actively engage, reflect and problem solve within real clinical situations together.
A Swedish study finds paired learning helps students feel more adequately prepared for the professional responsibilities they acquire upon course completion.
La Trobe University fourth-year Bachelor of Midwifery student Lara Brose completely agrees and said the placement solidified her aspirations of becoming a midwife.
“It was a very positive experience and just confirmed that I want to be a registered midwife,” Lara said.
“By doing it in pairs, I think it really helped my confidence. I’m not a very confident person normally.
“Working within a multidisciplinary team really helped enhance my independence and being able to provide that patient-centred care.”
La Trobe University and GV Health collectively agreed to offer the placement to a second and fourth-year to work collaboratively, completing 120 hours over a three-week period.
Pairing students at different levels is mutually beneficial, facilitating confidence and learning through differing requirements, shared experiences and joint effort.
GV Health clinical education midwife Penny Laidlaw said buddying students further strengthened their confidence and initiative when working on the ward.
“They were very aware that the workload was increasing, so they would do things together,” Penny said.
“I think because they have the support of each other, they have that confidence to show that initiative.
“Particularly for a second year given it’s their first birthing suite placement.”
If the trial proves viable and effective in regional settings, the paired placement model could be expanded to metropolitan hospitals — potentially becoming standard practice in eligible clinical environments.
“I think implementing it in regional hospitals is a great way to expose it to more people,” Penny said.
“But I think this would be amazing for metro hospitals to implement, they could have more students because they have more patients.”
For La Trobe University and GV Health, the trial marks a major step towards more innovative, student-centred midwifery training across Victoria.
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