Experiential Training Workshops for Group Antenatal Care in Malawi

Abstract

The positive effects of the CenteringPregnancy group antenatal care (ANC) model on perinatal outcomes in the United States has led to its adaptation and implementation in many low- and middle-income countries. Facilitative discussions are a core component of this group ANC model. Facilitator training lays a critical foundation for delivery of this paradigm-shifting model as practitioners learn to adapt their approach to health education from didactive to facilitative. However, there is little rigorous research focused on best practices for training group health care facilitators and none that is guided by a theoretical framework. Kolb's experiential learning theory offers a theoretical framework to guide the development of training workshops that allow trainees to experience, reflect on, and practice the facilitation skills needed to deliver this evidence-based intervention. This article describes an experiential learning-based training workshop that was implemented as part of an ongoing effectiveness-implementation trial of a Centering-based group ANC model in Blantyre District, Malawi. We provide a blueprint for conducting group ANC facilitator trainings that, in addition to imparting knowledge, effectively builds confidence and buy-in to this paradigm-changing approach to ANC delivery. This blueprint can be adapted for use in designing and implementing group health care across settings in the United States and globally.

Keywords: CenteringPregnancy; experiential learning; global health/international; group prenatal care; midwifery education.

Figure 1.

Adapted Stages of Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory Source: Kolb and Kolb (2005).

Figure 2.

The Training Workshop Room Is Set up to Illustrate How the Room Should Be Set up when Implemented at the Trainees’ Own Health Facilities

Figure 3.

Confidence to Deliver Group ANC+ on the First vs the Last Day of Training Workshops