Assessment of the psychometric properties of the italian version of the midwifery student evaluation of practice (MIDSTEP-IT): A validity and reliability study

Antonella Nespoli; Gaia Giulia Angela Sacco; Fatima Zahra Bouhachem; Francesca Motta; Simona Paredi; Laura Antolini; Maria Panzeri; Edda Pellegrini; Simona Fumagalli

doi:10.1016/j.midw.2024.103991

Assessment of the psychometric properties of the italian version of the midwifery student evaluation of practice (MIDSTEP-IT): A validity and reliability study

Midwifery. 2024 Apr 5:133:103991. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2024.103991. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Antonella Nespoli¹, Gaia Giulia Angela Sacco¹, Fatima Zahra Bouhachem¹, Francesca Motta¹, Simona Paredi², Laura Antolini¹, Maria Panzeri¹, Edda Pellegrini³, Simona Fumagalli⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.
² ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy.
³ ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy & School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.
⁴ School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy. Electronic address: simona.fumagalli@unimib.it.

PMID: 38631137
DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2024.103991

Abstract

Background: Clinical learning is a crucial component of the midwifery education program, necessary to support the acquisition of professional abilities through the integration of theoretical and practical learning experiences. Evaluating Bachelor of Midwifery students' perception of their clinical learning experiences is important to improve midwifery educational programs.

Aim: the objective of this study was the translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of the Midwifery Student Evaluation of Practice (MidSTEP) in a group of Italian midwives' students.

Methods: "Translation and Cultural Adaptation of Patient Reported Outcomes Measures - Principles of Good Practice" guidelines were adopted to achieve the MidSTEP Italian version. Exploratory Factor Analysis was performed. Internal consistency for reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient (α) and Omega coefficient (ω), while Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) were used to determine if the tool was stable over time.

Findings: The Italian version of MidSTEP (MidSTEP-IT) has good internal consistency: considering the Clinical Learning Environment Scale, Cronbach's α was 0.839 (for the "Skill Development" subscale α was equal to 0.739 and for the "Philosophy of Midwifery Practice" subscale α was equal to 0.825) while considering the Midwifery Preceptor Scale, Cronbach's α was 0.920. Factor analysis does not fully reflect the factorial analysis of the original version.

Conclusion: The MidSTEP-IT had been proven to be a valid and reliable tool, easy and fast to administer, that could be effectively helpful for investigating and measuring the Italian midwifery students' perception of their clinical learning experiences, according to the setting and impact of mentors on their professional growth. It is an innovative tool, valuable in both clinical practice and research to highlight the importance of encouraging a supportive clinical learning environment and an efficient preceptorship.

Keywords: Clinical learning environment; Clinical learning experiences; Education; Mentor; Midwifery; Professional development.