Midwives get virtual island
Friday January 27th, 2012
A pioneering midwifery training project - based on an "island in the sun" - has won a major national award.
The island that student midwives in Nottingham use is a virtual one - found on the Second Life Network.
The virtual maternity unit has been created by midwife teacher Jenny Bailey at Nottingham University.
And now it has gained an award for innovation at the annual awards of the Royal College of Midwifery.
The virtual island carries all the facilities that might be expected in a modern birthing unit including a pool, a gym ball and inhalation pain-relief.
Students can use avatars to conduct role play on a range of scenarios - while the teacher takes the role of the pregnant woman.
Students are even able to practice clinical skills such as administering pain relief, checking contractions and taking pulse and blood pressure. A control panel provides the results of tests.
Student avatars are also expected to provide support and reassurance to the woman in labour.
Ms Bailey said yesterday: "I am absolutely thrilled to be a winner, especially considering the excellent calibre of the other candidates.
"Hopefully, the virtual maternity project will continue to go from strength to strength."
She explained: "Using avatars removes some of the embarrassment which can be experienced in real role play and is intended to enhance clinical practice rather than replace it.
"Part of a midwife's role is to be able to provide unbiased information to women so they can make informed choices for their journey through pregnancy and childbirth, and that means sometimes students need to alter or adapt their language depending on the situation to get the information across.
"Childbirth is a life-changing experience and some women can feel very vulnerable when they are in hospital so much so that it can affect their labour. Students need to learn very quickly how to put women at ease and gain their trust."
Tags: Childbirth and Pregnancy | Nursing & Midwifery | UK News | Women’s Health & Gynaecology
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