Existential communication in maternity care - Mixed method evaluation of a postgraduate short course

OBJECTIVE: The birth of a child is a significant life event, possibly accompanied by thoughts and feelings of existential turmoil, which some parents need to share. Maternity care professionals may be unprepared for this, as very few educational initiatives exist with a focus on existential communication. We evaluated the curriculum and delivery of a course in existential communication for midwives. The evaluation was based on participants' experiences of self-reported self-efficacy and self-reflection before and after participation.

METHODS: A parallel mixed methods design with pre- and post-course questionnaires and field observations. Quantitative data were evaluated using Mann-Whitney analyses, and open-ended questions and field observations were thematised for further analysis.

RESULTS: Seventy-three maternity care professionals participated in the course. Of these, 69 (95%) completed a pre-course questionnaire, and 71 (97%) a post-course questionnaire. The quantitative data found a significant difference in various participant measures such as increase in self-efficacy in existential communication and understanding of existential communication. Qualitative data from the questionnaires and field observations led to six different themes including topics such as the need for reflection with peers and the presence of existential within maternity care.

CONCLUSIONS: The course evaluation suggested an increase in participants' awareness of existential aspects of maternity care and improved self-reflection and existential awareness.