We sought to understand how and when student midwives received consultation skills education during their undergraduate programmes.

International standards for midwifery practice demand that women are informed, advised and provided with a myriad of information throughout the childbirth continuum. A consequence of sub-optimal consultation events can lead to dissatisfaction on the woman’s part about her care, inaccurate information being provided and ultimately may result in poor care resulting in sub-optimal birth outcomes. Global evidence suggests that this area of education may be under-developed in midwifery programmes.

A descriptive cross-sectional survey examined international approaches to teaching consultation skills in undergraduate midwifery programmes.

An online questionnaire was distributed to academics in the UK, continental Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Responses were collected between February and May 2023. Data were analysed using the Where–When–What–How framework to identify how consultation skills education was delivered, assessed and integrated into curricula.

Thirty-two questionnaires were returned. Education was provided equally in clinical and academic environments and was threaded through curricula rather than taught as a discreet topic. Elements such as listening skills, shared decision making were included but consideration of structure, length and concluding the session were not prioritised. Various pedagogies were used to deliver the education. Significant variation in how skills were assessed and feedback provided were uncovered.

A definition of ‘midwifery consultation’ would likely support academic staff as they support student midwives to develop consultation skills, uphold professional standards and support the delivery of optimal care.

Midwifery consultation

Education

Assessment

Communication

© 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.