Our model of putting the midwife back into midwifery education has been possible at a distance by the use of user-friendly technologies. The curriculum is rich with pearls of wisdom from experienced midwifery faculty. Two Midwife Tutors follow each class cohort throughout the program, modeling the midwifery value of continuity of care. Students meet in on-line seminar rooms that are full of thoughtful discussions about the art of midwifery practice, case presentations and reflections of role transition from student to midwife. Our asynchronous system allows this to happen, day and night, seven days a week... when the individual is ready to focus on school, and yet be in the comfort of one’s own home.

Monthly live, small group PBL tutorials facilitate professional communications, behaviors and application of evidence to clinical practice. PBL is a method of learning that presents real world problem scenarios to small groups of learners. Authentic clinical scenarios are presented before content delivery to engage and challenge students in their own learning. Brainstorming and sharing of prior knowledge is done in small group, student-led tutorials with faculty guidance. Learning issues are determined by the group and information is shared regarding substantive findings at the follow-up tutorial session. Group process is evaluated as well as achievement of learning goals. With use of new technologies, the challenges of small group work at a distance have been overcome to incorporate this pedagogy into our on-line curriculum. Students are introduced to these technologies during their on-line orientation.

The role of the Midwife Tutor is unique at The Midwifery Institute of Philadelphia University and is the foundation of our model for midwifery education. The Midwife Tutor model mimics the midwifery model of care for women: students are treated with respect as individuals, with a personalized approach that encompasses all aspects of the educational processes of advising, evaluation and supervision. The Midwife Tutor’s primary focus is the facilitation of learning. This facilitation of the learning process is similar to the midwife’s role during labor. Both roles require the ability to challenge, assess, confront, encourage, provide feedback, assist, listen and problem solve. The challenge of distance education is to facilitate learning at a distance, where students and faculty share the responsibility for life long learning.

We are fortunate to have a diverse, experienced faculty in both midwifery education and clinical practice. In addition to the outstanding, personalized support of our Midwife Tutor faculty, students also benefit from instruction and discussion with content experts in Critical Inquiry I & II, Health Policy and a variety of electives. Exposure to clinical faculty and guest lecturers in clinical courses and at on-campus sessions solidify theory into practice. We believe in lifelong learning and continue to be partners in the growth and development of ourselves, our students and the profession of midwifery.

It is wonderful to be able to continually renew our vision of midwifery and midwifery education through the minds, hands and hearts of the students and faculty of The Midwifery Institute of Philadelphia University. With the advances and advantages of distance education, adult learners are able to reach their professional goals without losing any of the personal connectedness of midwifery education.

We can see the midwife within each of our students. The Midwife Tutors and the faculty are passionate about strengthening this individual vision and the vision of the future of midwifery. We remain on the cutting edge of a changing world, by weaving tradition with technology.