Implementation of Competency-Based Education for Quality Midwifery Programs in Africa: Protocol for a Scoping Review

Background: Competency-based education (CBE) for midwifery programs is a system of academic instruction and evaluation that aims to achieve proficiency in midwifery student learning outcomes, which is based on students' ability to demonstrate the knowledge, attitudes, self-perceptions, and skills of a predetermined set of educational activities in theory and practice. CBE focuses on ensuring that midwifery students can develop critical thinking abilities, values, and the clinical decision-making abilities needed for the delivery of safe care in future practice.

Objective: The objective of this scoping review is to map and synthesize existing literature on the implementation of CBE for midwifery programs and its sustainability in Africa.

Methods: We will use the Arksey and O'Malley approach for scoping reviews for the research methodology. The 3-stage search process, proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute, will be used to determine the eligibility of published and unpublished studies. PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Scopus will be searched to screen published articles. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses and Google Scholar will be used to search for unpublished studies. Findings will only apply to studies conducted in Africa from 2010 to the present year in English. The 2 reviewers will work independently to carefully screen and compare the full text of the selected citations to the inclusion criteria. In the event of any disagreements between the 2 reviewers at any stage of the selection process regarding the inclusion of an article, this will be settled by discussion or consultation with a third reviewer. The extracted data will be presented using a PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Review) flow diagram with an attached narrative summary. The review will summarize and disseminate findings on the implementation of the CBE for midwifery programs and its sustainability in Africa.

Results: It is intended that this scoping review will be completed within 6 months following the publication of this protocol.

Conclusions: The conclusions from this scoping review will inform midwifery educators, institutions, policy makers, and other stakeholders on the strategies to implement and sustain CBE for midwifery programs in Africa.

International registered report identifier (irrid): PRR1-10.2196/47603.