Drivers and Barriers to Precepting Midwifery Students

In this episode of Speaking of Midwives, host Melissa Avery, PhD CNM sits down with Dr. Julie Blumenfeld, Associate Professor and Midwifery Program Director at Rutgers University, to tackle one of the most critical challenges facing the profession today: the clinical preceptor shortage.Despite the growing demand for midwifery care in the United States, securing clinical sites remains a complex hurdle for students and program directors alike. Dr. Blumenfeld shares insights from her recent study, "Identifying Drivers and Barriers to Precepting Midwifery Students," using a socio-ecological lens to understand why midwives say "yes" (or "no") to teaching the next generation.The "Time vs. Teaching" Tug-of-War: How to balance high-volume patient panels with the responsibility of clinical instruction without burnout.The Support System: Why institutional backing and workload reduction are essential to making precepting sustainable, rather than a "series of personal favors."Recharge and Renewal: How seasoned midwives find renewed energy and stay current with their skills through the infectious enthusiasm of students.Policy and Funding: The urgent need for federal support—including the Midwives for MOMS Act—to modernize clinical education and provide parity with medical residency funding.Equity in Education: A look into the SIMPL study and the importance of addressing the unique barriers faced by sexual and gender minority students.Precepting isn't just an "extra" task; it is a core professional competency and the heartbeat of the midwifery pipeline. Whether you are an early-career midwife or a veteran practitioner, discover how you can advocate for teaching rights in your contracts and help ensure the profession continues to thrive.Credentials: Julie Blumenfeld, DNP, CNM, FACNM, FAANBlumenfeld J, Alspaugh A, Wright L, Lindberg L. Identifying Drivers and Barriers to Precepting Midwifery Students: “A Little Part of Me Lives on in Each Student Midwife”. J Midwifery Womens Health. 2024;69(5):727-734. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.13654Resources: The New Jersey Midwifery Education Project: Access the Preceptor Learning Platform for asynchronous CEs and clinical teaching strategies.Midwives for MOMS Act: Learn more about pending federal legislation to support midwifery workforce development.Connect with Us:If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us bring midwifery-led research to the forefront of maternal health.