Bandung, Indonesia — What does it take to prepare confident midwives? A qualitative study by Universitas Padjadjaran finds that supportive mentorship and practice-based learning are key to helping student midwives feel capable and ready to serve mothers safely.

Dr. Qorinah Estiningtyas Sakilah Adnani from the Midwifery Study Program, Faculty of Medicine, led the study which interviewed midwifery students in Indonesia. The researchers explored the emotional and practical experiences of students during clinical training and identified key factors influencing their confidence and competence.

The study revealed that a lack of real-world clinical exposure, emotional support, and consistent guidance often left students feeling unsure and unprepared. In contrast, students who had structured clinical supervision, exposure to real birthing scenarios, and emotionally supportive mentors reported significantly higher levels of confidence.

“Confidence isn’t just taught—it grows when students are trusted, trained, and supported,” said Dr. Adnani. “Midwives are essential to maternal health, and their education must reflect the real-world complexity of childbirth.”

The findings suggest that integrating simulation-based learning, reflective practice sessions, and a structured mentorship framework into midwifery education can improve learning outcomes. It also recommends that hospitals and clinics work closely with midwifery schools to ensure safe, educationally rich placements for students.

Improving midwifery education through this approach promotes safer maternal and newborn care, reduces preventable complications, and boosts professional independence for women in healthcare roles. It also builds long-term capacity for rural and underserved regions where maternal mortality remains high.

This research supports SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education). It emphasizes Unpad’s leadership in improving healthcare education models, especially in resource-limited settings, strengthening its global impact through the THE Impact Rankings.