Cent Eur J Nurs Midw 2025, 16(4):2328-2340 | DOI: 10.15452/cejnm.2025.16.0023

Preceptors’ perceptions and experiences of clinical birth education: a qualitative study

Gözde Gökçe İsbir, Meltem Aydın Beşen
Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mersin University, Turkey

Aim: This study aimed to explore preceptors’ perceptions and experiences of clinical birth education.

Design: A qualitative descriptive design was employed.

Methods: The study involved 22 preceptors engaged in clinical birth education. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using conventional content analysis.

Results: Analysis revealed four overarching themes: (1) causes of fear, (2) sources of motivation, (3) deficiencies in clinical midwifery education, and (4) characteristics of high-quality education.

Conclusion: Optimizing clinical learning in birth wards requires effective management of students’ emotions and the enhancement of their motivation. Addressing deficiencies, improving the clinical learning environment, and selecting qualified preceptors – supported by targeted preceptorship training are critical to advancing the quality of birth education.

Keywords: birth education, clinical education, midwifery, preceptor

Received: January 13, 2025; Revised: September 1, 2025; Accepted: September 4, 2025; Published: December 6, 2025  Show citation

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İsbir GG, Beşen MA. Preceptors’ perceptions and experiences of clinical birth education: a qualitative study. Central European Journal of Nursing and Midwifery. 2025;16(4):2328-2340. doi: 10.15452/cejnm.2025.16.0023.
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