Clinical Learning Opportunities of Midwifery Students in Ilocos Sur, Philippines

The study determined the extent of the clinical learning opportunities and the second-year midwifery students' level of competencies. It looked into the relationship between the extent of clinical learning opportunities and their level of competency. The research employed a descriptive-correlational design. The study respondents were the 93 students enrolled in the three midwifery schools in Ilocos Sur, Philippines, during the SY 2019-2020 and their eight clinical instructors (CIs). The study was conducted in these three schools to look into their capability of providing the students' learning needs that are essential to the full development of the students. Since it is believed that the extent of clinical learning opportunities and the level of competencies of the midwifery students lies in the competence, assistance, and opportunity provided by the clinical instructors (CIs), the quality of the clinical learning environment and the active participation of competent and autonomous midwifery instructors in this environment can have a facilitatory role. A questionnaire checklist that content validated by a pool of experts was utilized as the primary data-gathering instrument. Approval to conduct the study was secured from the Office of the President and or the Dean and Principal of the School of Midwifery before the data gathering. The researcher distributed the questionnaire through google forms. The data were analyzed using mean and simple linear correlation analysis. The Ethics Review Committee of the University reviewed the ethical considerations thoroughly. The student-respondents have a Very High extent of clinical learning opportunities. They are “Very Highly Competent." The extent of clinical learning opportunities is significantly related to the student respondent’s competency level. Therefore, it is recommended that 1) the CIs continuously provide various opportunities in the clinical area and extend their full support to the students by creating a conducive learning environment that will contribute to the full development of their competencies as midwifery graduates. 2) The academe to fully adhere to the competencies of the students as prescribed in the CMO through the exposure of the students in all the clinical areas where they can acquire the necessary knowledge, skill, and attitude of a midwifery graduate who is well prepared to cater to the needs of mothers and children.

Keywords: clinical instructors, competency, the extent of learning opportunities, learning objectives, pedagogical strategy