A review of the literature to inform a best-practice clinical supervision model for midwifery students in Australia

Abstract

Effective clinical supervision in midwifery programs leading to registration is essential to ensure that students can provide safe and competent woman centred care by the completion of their program. A number of different clinical supervision models exist in Australia and internationally, with varying levels of support and facilitation of student learning opportunities. In Australia, midwifery students must achieve specified learning outcomes and midwifery practice requirements to be eligible to register as a midwife. Identifying a best practice clinical supervision model for Australian midwifery students is therefore a priority for all key stakeholders, particularly education and maternity care providers. The aim of this literature review was to explore different types of clinical supervision models in order to develop and implement a best practice model in midwifery education programs.

Keywords: Clinical placement; Clinical supervision; Preceptorship and mentorship; Supervision models; Undergraduate midwifery education.