Unit rationale, description and aim
This unit extends and integrates learning through simulation laboratories and supervised clinical practice. The focus is on collaborative midwifery care for women experiencing complications and emergencies. Students will continue to participate in and learn from the Continuity of Care Experiences. This unit is required by students to assist them to develop knowledge and skills regarding complexities in the care of childbearing women.
The aim of this third Clinical Midwifery Practice unit is support students in the application of a clinical decision-making framework to assess, plan, provide and evaluate woman-centred, evidence-based midwifery care of women with complex care needs. It builds on earlier learning about the anatomy and the physiological processes of childbearing.
We recognise that people who access maternity care may have diverse gender identities, that those who do can experience marginalisation and oppression, and that using appropriate terminology can help with these community members’ recognition and visibility, acknowledge the variety of pregnancy and birth experiences people may have, and respect individuals’ preferences. To reflect this, terms such as ‘pregnant person’, ‘birthing person’, ‘childbearing people’, ‘parent’ and ‘chestfeeding’ may be used in the midwifery courses at ACU in addition to ‘woman’, ‘mother’, ‘maternity’, ‘maternal’ and ‘breastfeeding’, which are used not to exclude those who do not identify as a woman, but in recognition that women continue to be marginalised and oppressed in many places around the world and to respect their own individual preferences.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Apply legal and ethical frameworks, policies and p...
Learning Outcome 01
Use a clinical decision-making framework to assess...
Learning Outcome 02
Demonstrate safe and effective use of technology i...
Learning Outcome 03
Apply a woman-centred approach and effective commu...
Learning Outcome 04
Reflect on their learning to initiate and evaluate...
Learning Outcome 05
Extend their professional portfolio, demonstrating...
Learning Outcome 06
Content
Topics will include:
Legal and professional practice
- Scope of practice
- Documentation and use of health informatics and health technology
- Consultation and collaboration
- Medication knowledge and administration
- Med+Safe medication calculations
- Assertive communication skills
Midwifery knowledge and practice
- Care and assessment of women with complex needs:
- Variations related to position, lie and presentation of the fetus in utero
- Hypertension
- Preterm labour
- Gestational diabetes
- Haemorrhage
- Prolonged labour and obstructed labour
- Management of life threatening emergencies
- Fetal distress
- Shoulder dystocia
- Cord prolapse
- Uterine inversion
- Amniotic fluid embolism and coagulation disorders
- Eclampsia
- Maternal shock and collapse
- Procedures
- IV infusions
- Syringe drivers
- MgSO4
- Scalp electrode
- Fetal fibronectin
- Blood transfusions
- Speculum examination
- ECG
Midwifery as primary health care
- Consultation and referral
- Therapeutic and professional communication
Reflective and ethical practice
- Self-care and debriefing strategies
- Incorporating evidence-based practice
Assessment strategy and rationale
A range of assessment procedures consistent with University assessment requirements will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes.
The on-campus assessment will provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate developed skills in the safety of a simulated experience using the Aboriginal 'hands on' way of knowing. The continued development of the professional midwifery portfolio will allow the students to showcase their learning experiences (clinical and CCE) in a professional manner ensuring that documentation meets the professional legal requirements for practice experiences. Students must achieve a pass grade in both assessment tasks to pass this unit.
These assessments are required to build student knowledge and skills which, by the conclusion of this programme, will enable the student to graduate as a safe and effective midwife.
Overview of assessments
On-campus Practice Competency Enables students ...
On-campus Practice Competency
Enables students to demonstrate competency in professional behavour, communication skills and safe and effective implementation of midwifery skills and knowledge for the woman experiencing birthing complications and emergencies.
Pass/Fail
Professional Midwifery Portfolio Enables studen...
Professional Midwifery Portfolio
Enables students to showcase their clinical experiences in a professional manner, inclusive of the Continuity of Care Experience, ensuring that documentation meets the professional and legal requirements for practice.
Pass/Fail
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
Modes of delivery in this unit include group learning activities such as skill demonstrations, simulated practice, online classroom, supervisied clinical practice, participation in the the Continuity of Care Experience (CCE) and self-directed study. Consistent with adult learning principles, the teaching and learning strategies used within these modes of delivery will provide students with foundational knowledge and skills relevant to professional midwifery practice. Development of knowledge, skills and understanding will also be supported using 'hands on' methods, story sharing, community linking and other Aboriginal ways of learning. These strategies will also support students in meeting the aim, learning outcomes and graduate attributes of the unit and the broader course learning outcomes. Learning and teaching strategies will reflect respect for the individual as an independent learner. Students will be expected to take responsibility for their learning and to participate actively with peers. Scenario-based learning, case-based learning, problem-based learning and inquiry-based learning are all used to support the development of students' independent learning ability
Students undertaking a tertiary qualification need skills to assist them in managing their individual learning. Feedback and effective self-reflection are required to identify what is being done well, what requires additional work and to identify progress toward required learning outcomes. Located in the second year of the programme, this clinical unit assists students to link theory with its application and to build life-long learning skills. Group learning activities are utilised to convey content and central principles while laboratories and simulation deliver interactive learning sessions which assist students to apply theory to clinical practice and build self-reflection skills. The supervised clinical practicum of 120 hours provides a safe environment where students can provide assisted woman-centred care essential for successful graduate practice.
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Midwife Standards for Practice
In connection to the learning outcomes, these Midwife standards for practice provide a framework for midwifery practice in all contexts. They also inform women, and others including consumers, those who regulate, educate, collaborate with and manage midwives on what to expect from a midwife’s practice.
Relating to
Promotes health and wellbeing through evidence-based midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1
Relating to
Identifies what is important to women as the foundation for using evidence to promote informed decision-making, participation in care, and self-determination
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1
Relating to
Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings, for safe, quality midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1
Relating to
Uses health assessment and health education to support birth and reproductive health, and minimise the potential for complications
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1
Relating to
Supports the development, implementation and evaluation of evidenced-based health initiatives and programs, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1
Relating to
Engages in professional relationships and respectful partnerships
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO4
Relating to
Partners with women to strengthen women’s capabilities and confidence to care for themselves and their families
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO4
Relating to
Practises ethically, with respect for dignity, privacy, confidentiality, equity and justice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO4
Relating to
Develops, maintains and concludes professional relationships in a way that differentiates the boundaries between professional and personal relationships, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO4
Relating to
Demonstrates the capability and accountability for midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO5, LO6
Relating to
Understands their scope of practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO5, LO6
Relating to
Practises within relevant legal parameters and professional standards, codes and guidelines
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO5, LO6
Relating to
Participates in own continuing professional development to maintain the required knowledge and skill base for safe and effective practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO5, LO6
Relating to
Engages in timely consultation, referral and documentation
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO5, LO6
Relating to
Uses relevant processes to identify, document and manage complexity and risk
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO5, LO6
Relating to
Recognises and responds appropriately where safe and quality practice may be compromised, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO5, LO6
Relating to
Considers and responds in a timely manner to the health and wellbeing of self and others in relation to the capability for practice.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO5, LO6
Relating to
Undertakes comprehensive assessments
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3
Relating to
Works in partnership to determine factors that affect, or potentially affect, the health and wellbeing of women, communities and populations
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3
Relating to
Uses assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3
Relating to
Analyses information and data and communicates assessments and anticipated outcomes as the basis for midwifery practice, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3
Relating to
Develops a plan for midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2
Relating to
Collaboratively develops plans until options, priorities, goals, actions, anticipated outcomes and timeframes are agreed with the woman, and/or relevant others
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2
Relating to
Documents, evaluates and modifies plans to facilitate the anticipated outcomes.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2
Relating to
Provides safety and quality in midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO5
Relating to
Actively contributes to quality improvement and research activities
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO5
Relating to
Is responsible for consultation and referral and/or escalation in situations that are outside the individual’s scope of practice, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO5
Relating to
Provides and accepts effective and timely direction, allocation, delegation, teaching and supervision
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO5
Relating to
Evaluates outcomes to improve midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO5
Relating to
Evaluates and monitors progress towards planned goals and anticipated outcomes
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO5
Relating to
Uses evaluation and reflection to inform future practice and professional development
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO5