Suggests feminist principles relevant to midwifery include affirmation of equal rights; derivation of individuals' value from their capacity to contribute to society, not from biology; and accordance to women of the same rights over their bodies as men have over theirs. Notes feminist theory and principles should underlie midwifery education and…

Critical incident analysis, combining actual experiences with structured reflection, can facilitate learning from clinical practice and develop interpersonal skills and self-awareness. (SK)

Nursing education should play an important role in developing culturally sensitive health care. Nurses and midwives should be trained in assessing health needs of different cultural groups and developing appropriate care. (SK)

National Vocational Qualifications assessment methods have the potential to fragment and damage learning. Holistic approaches to competence such as those used in Australia are more congruent with the needs of professional nurses, midwives, and health visitors in Britain. (SK)

Increased academic standards in midwifery education are causing conflict between research-based and traditional knowledge used in clinical assessments. Training of evaluators, frequent changes in clinical placements, and lack of contact between students and evaluators also impinge on the validity and reliability of assessments. (SK)