IMPROVE Workshops

The death of a baby is a devastating event for both the families and the health professionals looking after them. In partnership with the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ), the Stillbirth CRE has developed IMPROVE – IMproving Perinatal Mortality Review and Outcomes Via Education.

In order to try to answer the questions raised by such deaths, a structured approach is required. IMPROVE face-to-face workshops and eLearning modules are designed to address the educational needs of health professionals involved in maternity and newborn care in managing perinatal death based on the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand’s Perinatal Mortality Guideline.

This includes supporting healthcare professionals respond to women and families who have experienced stillbirth, conduct perinatal autopsy and mortality reviews, and communicate with bereaved parents.

Workshops:

About the IMPROVE workshops

The death of a baby is a devastating event for both the families and the professionals looking after them. In order to try to answer the questions raised by such deaths, a structured approach is required. IMPROVE workshops are designed to address the educational needs of health professionals involved in maternity and newborn care in managing perinatal death based on the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand’s Perinatal Mortality Guideline.

Objectives

The overarching aim of the workshop is to facilitate implementation of the Australia and New Zealand Clinical Practice Guideline for Care Around Stillbirth and Neonatal Death, developed by PSANZ and the Stillbirth CRE.

At the completion of the workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the basic epidemiology of perinatal mortality and stillbirth
2. Understand the scope and purpose of the PSANZ and the Stillbirth CRE Guidelines
3. Know the definitions of perinatal mortality applied in your state
4. Understand the rationale for the IMPROVE Program

Who should attend?

Obstetricians, midwives, neonatal nurses, neonatologists, social workers, psychologists, counselors, and anyone involved in maternity care. If you are interested from a policy or public health perspective, you are also welcome and encouraged to attend.

Workshop format and materials

The workshop utilises the SCORPIO educational model designed for skills training. This involves small groups of learners rotating around six interactive learning stations that are each facilitated by an experienced educator. Learning stations are:

• Station One: Communicating with parents about perinatal autopsy
• Station Two: Autopsy and placental examination
• Station Three: Investigations of Stillbirth
• Station Four: Examination of babies who die in the perinatal period
• Station Five: Perinatal mortality and audit classification
• Station Six: Respectful and culturally responsive care

Want more information?

If you are interested in hosting an IMPROVE workshop at your site or would like to submit an expression of interest to become an educator, please email improve@mater.uq.edu.au.

E-Learning:

IMPROVE eLearning is an online training package of 15 learning topics designed to support healthcare professionals provide care for women and families who have experienced stillbirth and baby loss, conduct perinatal mortality investigations and reviews, and communicate with bereaved parents. 



The IMPROVE eLearning course has an accredited learning time of 7.5 hours, available to claim through your CPD provider. The course provides essential training, clinical recommendations and guidelines, and care pathways for clinicians working in maternity and newborn care. 

The expanded IMPROVE program launched in August 2026.