CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Diagnosing perineal lacerations after vaginal birth: Building competence and confidence in midwifery students through an interactive blended learning workshop
More details
Hide details
1
GynZone E-learning, Research and Development, Aarhus C, Denmark
2
University South-Eastern Norway, Midwifery Studies, Borre, Norway
3
Northern Health, Maternity Unit, Eppping, Australia
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A1092
ABSTRACT
THE LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By following international standards, participants will be able to accurately diagnose perineal injuries ranging from first- to fourth-degree tears, including buttonhole defects (1).
THE PROCESS/ACTIVITIES:
According to the European standards of midwifery education, students should be able to diagnose and repair 1st – 2nd degree perineal trauma, including episiotomies (1).
Learning how to diagnose and classify perineal lacerations can be challenging whilst completing their midwifery degree (2). Students may not have always encountered a range of perineal lacerations during clinical placements, limiting hands-on experience.
Time constraints and the fast-paced nature of busy maternity wards can make it difficult to prioritize teaching and learning opportunities. Low-fidelity medical skills training stations will be used to practice diagnosing various perineal lacerations, with a focus on relevant anatomical details (3).
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:
Participants are encouraged to actively engage in hands-on exercises that combine video tutorials with skills workstations, following a blended learning approach. This interactive workshop runs for 45 minutes, offering focused and practical learning in a supportive environment (4).
Additional reading
European Parliament and Council of the European Union. Directive 2005/36/EC on the Recognition of Professional Qualifications. Official Journal of the European Union; 2005.
Roper J, Thakar R, Hurt KJ, Sultan AH. Diagnosis, management, and training in perineal trauma. Int Urogynecol J. 2023;34(12):2873-2883.
Vulva Enterprise. Perineal Repair Trainers. Accessed May 31, 2026. https://www.vulva-enterprise.com/shop/11-perineal-repair-trainers/
Kindberg S, Bek K, Seehafer P, Glavind-Kristensen M. Diagnostics. GynZone Online Learning. Accessed May 31, 2026. https://my.gynzone.com/courses/64-diagnostics