KoHeb

Competence orientation and learning in the Bachelor's degree course in Midwifery Science

Project objective

The aim of the project is to research and evaluate the still young midwifery courses at university locations in Germany in a competence- and profession-oriented manner and thus contribute to an innovative and evidence-based quality development and establishment of the courses. New insights into the curricular and didactic design of dual study programs in Midwifery Science are to be gained through cross-location analyses.

Focal points

KoHeb pursues a multi-centre research approach, which is implemented at university locations in Germany. The project comprises five studies focusing on various key areas of midwifery studies:

  1. Analysis of conditions critical to success in the introductory phase of the midwifery degree program
  2. Development of the professional self-image and the self-concept of professionally relevant competencies in the course of midwifery studies
  3. Analysis of theory-practice interlocking in the study of Midwifery Science, taking into account didactic and learning psychological aspects
  4. Modeling of selected competencies of the study of midwifery science and support of competence orientation in the study program
  5. Investigation and promotion of the competence orientation of state midwifery examinations

Parallel to the research project, a monitoring of the four Midwifery Science study programs in Lower Saxony is to be established in order to record basic structural parameters of the study programmes and to analyze study courses and use them as a basis for comparative and overarching analyses as well as an instrument for quality development.

Funding body

Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture

Duration

April 2024 - March 2029

Project management

Prof. Dr. Mechthild M. Groß

Email


Dr. Chantal Soyka

Research Associate

Phone: +49 511 532-83512

Email


Cooperation & collaboration

The KoHeb project is carried out with the support of the following midwifery study programmes:

  • University of Augsburg (Annette Kluge-Bischoff),
  • Bochum University of Applied Sciences (Prof. Dr. Martina Schlüter-Cruse),
  • Furtwangen University (Katharina Räuber-Dreier),
  • Justus Liebig University Giessen (Prof. Dr. Julia Berger),
  • Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (Prof. Dr. Sabine Striebich),
  • University of Cologne (Prof. Dr. Dr. Nicola Bauer),
  • University of Lübeck (Prof. Dr. Marina Weckend),
  • Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (Prof. Dr. Barbara Fillenberg),
  • Rostock University Medical Center (Prof. Dr. Dorothea Tegethoff)
  • University of Tübingen (Prof. Dr. Dr. Claudia Plappert)
  • and other universities

Prof. Dr. Niclas Schaper from Paderborn University contributes his expertise in university didactics to the project.


Current

KoHeb at the 2nd HEBA-PÄD conference

On May 4, 2025, we were represented with the KoHeb project with two contributions - a poster and a presentation - at the HEBA-PÄD conference in Münster. We are delighted that our poster entitled "The initial study phase: individual prerequisites and institutional framework conditions in midwifery studies" was awarded 3rd place in the poster competition.

Publications

Journal articles:

  • Soyka, C., Schaper, N., Bauer, N. H., Berger, J., Schlüter-Cruse, M., Striebich, S., Tegethoff, D., Gross, M. M. & the KoHeb study team. (2025). Who starts midwifery studies in Germany? Investigation of social, individual and organizational heterogeneity among first-year students. Dual Studies, 7(1), 25-43. https://doi.org/10.25162/dua-2025-0001

Conference Abstracts/Poster:

  • Soyka, C., Schaper, N., & Groß, M. M. (2025). The study entry phase: Individual prerequisites and institutional framework conditions in midwifery studies [Abstract/Poster presentation]. In Deutscher Hebammenverband & Deutsche Gesellschaft für Midwifery Science (Eds.), Abstract volume of the hebapäd. 2nd conference on pedagogical work in midwifery studies (pp. 25-26).
  • Soyka, C., Schaper, N., & Groß, M. M. (2025). Research on competence orientation and learning in the bachelor's degree program in Midwifery Science in the KoHeb project [Abstract]. In Deutscher Hebammenverband & Deutsche Gesellschaft für Midwifery Science (Eds.), Abstract volume of the hebapäd. 2nd conference on pedagogical work in midwifery studies (pp. 61-62).
  • Gross, M. M., Bauer, N. H., Berger, J., Schlüter-Cruse, M., Tegethoff, D. & Soyka, C. (2025, September 15-17). Characteristics of first year undergraduate students in midwifery in Germany[Poster presentation]. 24th International Labor and Birth Research Conference, Preston, United Kingdom.