Comparison of the effects of role play and video feedback on the knowledge and attitude of midwives towards communication skills training

Background and To create a positive attitude towards communication skills training, experimental methods are preferred over theoretical approaches since they encourage the practical use of these skills among different health staff. This study aimed to compare the effects of role play and video feedback on the attitude and knowledge of midwives towards communication training skills. In this study, 47 midwives were randomly selected from educational hospitals of Mashhad, Iran and divided into two groups of role play (N=24) and video feedback (N=23). Intervention consisted of a two day training workshop for each group. Role play and video feedback training were performed at four stages of acceptance, labor, delivery, and postpartum. Level of knowledge and attitude was evaluated in the subjects before and after the intervention using questionnaires. Data analysis was performed using independent and paired t-test, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon test. In this study, mean score of knowledge and attitude had a significant increase after the intervention in both groups (P=0.001) (P=0.03). Additionally, mean of difference in the scores of knowledge and attitude was not considered significant before and after the intervention (P≥0.05). According to the results of this study, video feedback and role play could be equally effective in raising the awareness and improving the attitude of midwives towards communication training skills