Investigating the effect of neonatal resuscitation simulation using a competency-based approach on knowledge, skill, and self-confidence of midwifery students using objective structured clinical examination (OSCE)

Background: First-day neonate death has the highest rate in infant mortality. Using modern educational methods such as simulation and competency can be effective in improving learners' performance and subsequently their confidence. Material and Method: This study was a quasi-experimental intervention on 80 midwifery students of semester 3, 4, and 5 undergraduate degrees. Eighty-six students registered after the researcher's explanations. The learners were randomly assigned into two groups while they were receiving routine midwifery education according to the midwifery curriculum. The learners in the intervention group (in seven groups) received a 7-hour session about neonate resuscitation. The theory session was conducted using PowerPoint presentation, lecture, video, and pictures. The practical session was conducted using simulation with manikins of skill laboratory. The skill practice continued until the learners achieved competency (performing 90% of resuscitation steps). The learners were assessed before, immediately, and 6 weeks after training using questionnaires and a checklist. The data were analyzed using SPSS, descriptive, and inferential statistics. Results: The knowledge, skill, and self-confidence scores increased significantly immediately after the training (P < 0.001), from 5.05 +/- 2.07 (out of 12) to 10.17 +/- 1.31, 18.90 +/- 3.14 to 68.45 +/- 2.05, and 1.50 +/- 0.55 to 2.02 +/- 0.57, respectively. The changes were retained 6 weeks after the training. These changes were not observed in the control group. Conclusion: Competency-based, simulation-based, and objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) were effective in students learning to manage initial neonatal resuscitation in the skills' lab, and this increase was retained 6 weeks after the training.