Exploring the experiences of student midwives completing the newborn infant physical examination

Background: The newborn and infant physical examination (NIPE) is a screening programme now undertaken by specially trained midwives. It is increasingly a feature within pre-registration midwifery educational programmes. Objectives: To explore the experiences of student midwives completing the theory and practice aspects of the NIPE within a pre-registration midwifery programme. Design: A qualitative design was utilised to analyse data collected by semi-structured interviews. Method: This study was conducted using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Findings: Three superordinate themes were generated: learning by doing, mentorship and transition to qualification. The findings demonstrate the benefits of student midwife exposure to practical aspects of NIPE. Conclusions: Findings indicate that standardisation is required with NIPE education and clinical practice. Preceptorship programmes must effectively prepare newly qualified midwives to undertake the NIPE role. Higher educational institutes must provide greater support to the midwives providing mentorship of student midwife NIPE practitioners. Further research should examine the maintenance of the NIPE role following qualification as a midwife.