Midwifery students’ perceptions of culturally safe maternity care after art workshops in Australia

Background/Aims Art-based workshops are a creative, experiential learning approach that can be used to deliver high-quality education on cultural safety in maternity care. This study explored midwifery students’ perceptions of their preparedness to provide culturally safe maternity care following participation in an art-based workshop. Methods This mixed-methods study involved 26 purposively sampled midwifery students at a university in western Australia, who completed an online survey. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes. Results Most participants reported that the workshop enhanced their understanding and improved their confidence in delivering culturally safe maternity care. Conclusions Integrating art-based workshops into university curricula may significantly enhance midwifery education. This approach promotes good health and wellbeing for women and strengthens midwives’ ability to provide culturally safe care. Implications for practice Art-based workshops can enhance students’ confidence and capability to provide culturally safe maternity care, supporting improved outcomes for women and families.