Determining the Knowledge Levels of Midwifery Students Regarding Emotional Freedom Technique

Abstract

Abstract Objective: The study was conducted to determine the knowledge levels of midwifery students regarding the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted with students from the Midwifery Department of Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Faculty of Health Sciences, in the spring semester of 2023 (n=329). The data were collected between March 23 and June 25, 2023, using a questionnaire form prepared by the researchers, and analyzed using the SPSS 23 software. Results: Among the students who participated in the study, 28.3% were in their first year, 23.7% were in their second year, 26.1% were in their third year, and 21.9% were in their fourth year. It was found that opinions of students on EFT (21.816/.000), its usefulness (LR=9.354/.053), the cost of the technique (41.651/.000), the way of applying the technique (LR=23.824/.001), and the place where the technique is applied (LR=16.713/.010) increased as the grade level increased (p<0.05). Although this rate was 12.8% in the 1st grade, it increased to 43.6% in the 4th grade, and this difference was statistically significant. The most commonly used information sources were found to be the internet and social media. Conclusion: The study is important in terms of evaluating the knowledge and attitudes of midwifery students towards EFT. Although very few of the students were knowledgeable about EFT (12%), the majority exhibited a positive attitude towards the technique; however, it was also found that their information sources were insufficient. These results suggest the need to provide students with more academic and practical training on how EFT can be used in midwifery services. Integrating EFT into midwifery education is important because it will improve the quality of care by providing students with a holistic approach to the anxiety, fear, and psychological difficulties women may experience during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.

Keywords

• Midwifery
• Student
• Emotional Freedom Technique
• Knowledge Level

Determining the Knowledge Levels of Midwifery Students Regarding Emotional Freedom Technique

Abstract

Özet Amaç: Bu çalışma, ebelik öğrencilerinin Duygusal Özgürleşme Tekniğine (EFT) yönelik bilgi düzeylerinin belirlenmesi amacıyla yapıldı. Gereç ve Yöntem: Tanımlayıcı nitelikteki araştırma, 2023 öğretim yılı/bahar yarıyılında Sivas Cumhuriyet Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Ebelik Bölümü öğrencileriyle yürütüldü (n=329). Veriler araştırmacılar tarafından hazırlanan soru formu kullanılarak 23 Mart -25 Haziran 2023 tarihleri arasında toplandı, SPSS 23 paket programında analiz edildi. Bulgular: Araştırmaya katılan öğrencilerin %28,3’ü 1. Sınıf, %23,7’si 2.sınıf, %26,1’i 3.sınıf, %21,9’u 4. sınıfta öğrenim görmektedir. Öğrencilerin; EFT hakkında bilgi (21,816/ ,000) ve yararlılık düzeyi (LR=9,354/ ,053), tekniğin maliyeti (41,651/,000), tekniğin uygulanma şekli (LR=23,824/ ,001), tekniğin uygulandığı yer (LR=16,713/,010), konusundaki düşünceleri sınıf düzeyi yükseldikçe artış gösterdiği görülmektedir (p<0,05). 1. sınıflarda bu oran %12,8 iken, 4. sınıflarda %43,6’ya yükselmiş ve bu fark istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bulunmuştur. En çok kullanılan bilgi kaynağının ise internet ve sosyal medya olduğu saptanmıştır. Sonuç: Bu çalışma, ebelik öğrencilerinin EFT’ye yönelik bilgi ve tutumlarının değerlendirilmesi açısından önemlidir. Öğrencilerin EFT hakkında çok azı bilgi sahibi olsa da (%12) çoğunluğu tekniğe yönelik olumlu tutum sergilemiş, ancak bilgi kaynaklarının yetersiz kaldığı görülmektedir. Bu sonuçlar, EFT’nin ebelik hizmetlerinde nasıl kullanılabileceği konusunda öğrencilere daha fazla akademik ve pratik eğitim sağlanması gerektiğini göstermektedir. EFT’nin ebelik eğitimine entegre edilmesi, öğrencilerin gebelik, doğum ve doğum sonu dönemde kadınların yaşayabileceği kaygı, korku ve psikolojik zorlanmalara bütüncül yaklaşabilmelerini sağlayarak bakım kalitesini artırması açısından önemlidir.

Keywords

• Midwifery
• Student
• Emotional Freedom Technique
• Knowledge Level

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