Barriers to clinical learning skills development among midwifery students and newly qualified midwives in Morocco: A qualitative study

Background: In Morocco, despite various initiatives to improve the quality of reproductive
healthcare, the indicators remain unfavorable. To strengthen the skills of midwives and support
the achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 by 2030, Morocco has
developed and implemented a competency-based training framework. However, there is a lack
of information on the successful implementation of this program and its impact on the quality
of student midwives’ preparation for practice.
Objective: This study aimed to gain a deeper understanding and explore the barriers affecting
the development of clinical learning skills among midwifery students and newly qualified
midwives.
Methods: This study employed a descriptive, exploratory qualitative approach. Data were
collected through nine focus group discussions with 30 midwifery students and 24 newly
graduated midwives between April and June 2023 from six higher education institutions in
northern and central Morocco. Inductive content analysis was used to analyze the transcribed
discussions.
Results: The barriers varied between locations. Overall, the internship design was
inadequate, and the clinical environment was insufficient. Participants highlighted limited
opportunities to experience the full range of midwifery skills. However, most midwifery students
and new graduates had deficient competencies in managing high-risk situations and
emergencies.
Conclusion: This work provides an overview of the nature and extent of the challenges faced
by many student midwives in Morocco, resulting in newly graduated midwives being poorly
prepared for the full range of midwifery practice. These findings can inform various initiatives
to strengthen midwifery education at the global, regional, and national levels.