The Impact of Simulation-Based Education on Midwifery Students' Episiotomy Self-Efficacy Levels

Overview

Problem: Self-efficacy, the belief in one's ability to perform tasks, plays a critical role in learning. Inadequate self-efficacy can hinder the development of essential clinical skills in midwifery students. Background: Simulation-based education provides a safe learning environment that enhances students' skills and confidence without the fear of mistakes. However, the comparative effectiveness of different simulation methods on self-efficacy remains unclear. Aim: This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of suture simulation training versus sponge simulation training on midwifery students' self-efficacy in episiotomy repair. Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions: Does suture simulation training improve self-efficacy in episiotomy repair more effectively than sponge simulation training? What challenges or difficulties do students encounter with each simulation method? Methods: A total of 84 midwifery students participated in the study. They were randomly assigned to two groups: Intervention 1 (n=42): Practiced on a suture simulator. Intervention 2 (n=42): Practiced on a sponge simulator. Both groups received identical theoretical training on episiotomy repair through slide presentations and video demonstrations over two sessions lasting four hours. Students: Engaged in hands-on training with their assigned simulation method for four weeks. Attended clinic visits every two weeks for skill assessments and feedback. Maintained a self-report diary documenting their confidence levels and skill progression. Data collection included demographic characteristics, self-efficacy assessments using the Episiotomy Skills Self-Efficacy Scale (ESSES), and observational data. Statistical analyses were planned using t-tests and chi-square tests, with significance set at p\<0.05. Future results will be analyzed and reported separately in the Results Section, following data collection and processing.