| Midwifery is a small but growing profession in Canada. As health professionals practicing evidence based care, midwives require access to continuing professional development (CPD) that accommodates the needs and characteristics of their profession. The purpose of this case study is to understand what kinds of computer based educational approaches would be effective for midwives, how best to make CPD meaningful and how CPD can be progressive in enhancing communal knowledge. This study examines midwives Internet use, midwives existing learning approaches and possible pedagogical approaches to online learning. This is the first Canadian research examining this topic and it develops a picture of midwives as frequent Internet users, who use the Internet to connect with other midwives, do research and read periodicals. This study details ways that midwives are meeting their learning needs, formally and informally, and suggests the use of technological and pedagogical supports to make professional education more progressive. |
