The Virtual International Day of the Midwife (VIDM) is an annual online event that provides opportunities for midwives to access the latest research and innovations, network, and engage in informal lifelong learning through social media platforms. The 2012 evaluation found that over 80 midwives from around the world participated via Facebook, Twitter, and Google Docs. While attendees enjoyed the sense of community and free learning opportunities, some noted needs for improved event information and presentation quality. Moving forward, the organizers aim to address barriers like digital literacy and reach more resource-poor areas, while exploring ways to better integrate with midwifery organizations and conduct impact research.

1. THE VIRTUAL
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF
THE MIDWIFE. USING
SOCIAL MEDIA FOR
PROFESSIONAL
NETWORKING AND
LEARNING
Sarah Stewart
sarahstewart07@gmail.com

2. Aim of this session:
• Tell you about the VIDM
• Explain some of the findings from the 2012
VIDM evaluation
• Reflect on some of the lessons we have
learned about social media, communities of
practice, professional networking & learning

3. Beginnings

6. What is the VIDM?

7. Aims
Provide access to latest research & practice
innovations
Provide opportunities for networking
Break down traditional barriers to PD
Model informal, life-long learning practices
Model “open” communication & collaboration
practices eg OER
Increase digital literacy & capability

13. Wiki - advertising, informing, coordination,
collaboration, artefacts
http://internationaldayofthemidwife.wikispaces.com

14. Facebook – advertising, marketing, networking,
discussion, answer questions
http://www.facebook.com/VirtualInternationalDayoftheMidwife

15. Twitter – advertising, marketing, networking,
discussion, answer questions
https://twitter.com/#!/VIDofM

16. Google Docs – feedback survey, tracking,
collaboration
http://tiny.cc/o70rew

17. 2012 VIDM Evaluation
99 responses – 84 attended, 15 did not
Majority of respondents were students or
clinical midwives
Most common age 30-39, & 50-59
Majority of people came from USA, UK,
Australia
Also had attendees from Bermuda, Canada,
Brazil Cyprus, Denmark, Ethiopia, Kenya,
Slovenia, Netherlands, Jordan, Germany,
Greece, Latvia, Peru, Portugal and Slovenia

18. Majority people heard about VIDM from
Facebook (63%), followed by email (31%)
Most people found technology very easy, or
easy to use – only a couple of people found it
difficult to use
Most people accessed VIDM at home – no one
did in a clinical facility
Most people used lap top or PC

19. Attendees rated VIDM 2012 very good or good –
2 rated it poor
People wanted news about VIDM 2013 via
Facebook or email
Main reason people didn't attend was because
they were working

20. What did people like?
A sense of belonging to an international
community
Opportunity to learn for free, in easily accessible
and flexible environment
Being able to access eminent speakers

21. What could be improved?
Quality of presentations
Improved information about the event on the
wiki website
Bigger room – more seats

22. What do you need to be able to
attend?
Time
Motivation
Adequate technology
Confidence and digital competence
Better information about how to attend
More information about the event beforehand

23. What we are seeing
Main steam midwifery
doesn't get it, but
midwifery &
consumers activists
do
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7158112@N04/3042853630

24. Digital literacy is a barrier
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21560098@N06/3796822070

25. Health organisations
need a lot of
support to help
them see value of
initiatives like this
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32323502@N00/428401602

26. Community of practice is evolving

27. Greater networking
between midwives
& consumers....and
others who are
passionate about
life-long learning

28. Increasing
digital
capability

29. Midwives (& others)
are utilising their
digital literacy
learnings in an
ongoing way in
their professional
lives
http://www.glorialemay.com/blog/?p=688

30. Where to from here?
How do we reach
resource-poor
countries?

31. Research. What is the impact of this
approach to PD on learning, &
ultimately clinical outcomes?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26667277@N00/311398700

32. Integrate with midwifery
organisations?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/76413978@N08/6873616254

33. Become more
interactive,
beyond the 5 th
May
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28859335@N00/120018144

34. Go mobile!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/83542829@N00/2431704208

35. Sarah Stewart
sarahstewart07@gmail.com
Http://sarah-stewart.blogspot.com
@SarahStewart
http://www.facebook.com/sarahmstewart
http://www.slideshare.net/sarahs