Unit rationale, description and aim
This unit supports the student's transition from the disciplines of nursing or paramedicine into the midwifery profession by providing the opportunity for students to integrate theoretical and practical knowledge in simulation laboratories and supervised clinical practice. Foundational midwifery practice skills will be developed and extended through scenario-based learning in the health simulation centre followed by a period of supervised clinical midwifery practice. Continuity of Care Experiences (CCE) will commence. This unit is required by students to assist them to develop skills to support women during labour and birth and the immediate period following birth, in collaboration with midwives and the health care team.
The aim of this Introduction to Midwifery Practice unit is to provide the foundations on which clinical assessments are based, build on earlier learning about the anatomy and the physiological processes of childbearing, and model the way in which students will contextualize their theoretical knowledge through clinical practice.
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.
Demonstrate a woman-centred approach and effective...
Learning Outcome 01
Apply legal and ethical frameworks, policies and p...
Learning Outcome 02
Apply knowledge of underlying anatomy and physiolo...
Learning Outcome 03
Assess, plan, document, provide and evaluate safe,...
Learning Outcome 04
Present a personal e-portfolio, demonstrating deve...
Learning Outcome 05
Content
Topics will include:
Legal and professional practice
- Scope of practice
- Assertive communication skills
- Documentation and use of health informatics and health technology
- Medication knowledge and administration
- Introduction to course requirements including Community Engagement (CE), course experiences and the Continuity of Care Experiences (CCE)
- Behavioural expectations
- Documentation
- Confidentiality and informed consent
- Scope of practice
- Professional boundaries
Midwifery knowledge and practice
- Assessment
- Revise interviewing and history taking techniques in relation to midwifery practice
- Antenatal assessment including abdominal examination
- Ongoing woman and fetal wellbeing assessment
- Introduction to early labour assessment
- Introduction to postnatal assessment of mother and baby
- Labour and birth care
- Care of the woman and her unborn baby
- Supporting a woman and her birth companions in early labour
- Non-pharmacological therapies
- Placenta
- Postnatal care
- Promoting bonding and establishing breastfeeding
- Assessment and care of the well mother and baby
- Introduction to the Continuity of Care Experience (CCE)
- Expectations
- Resources
- Documentation
- Confidentiality
- Scope of practice
- Professional boundaries
Midwifery as primary health care
- Health education and promotion
- Referral to community support networks
Reflective and ethical practice
- Maintaining a professional e-portfolio
- Reflective practice
- Identifying and responding to own and others’ learning needs
- Self-care in midwifery
- 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 simulation experience. The development of a professional midwifery portfolio will allow the students to showcase their learning experiences, inclusive of the Continuity of Care Experience (CCE) in a professional manner ensuring that documentation meets the professional legal requirements for practice experiences.
Students must achieve a pass in both assessments to pass this unit.
These assessments are required to build student knowledge and skills which, by the conclusion of this program, will enable the student to graduate as a safe and effective midwife.
Overview of assessments
On-campus Competency Assessments Enables studen...
On-campus Competency Assessments
Enables students to demonstrate competency in professional behavour, communication skills and safe and effective implementation of midwifery skills and knowledge.
Pass/Fail
Professional Midwifery Portfolio Enables stude...
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 an intensive block immediately prior to semester commencement, followed by learner-centred resource sessions, clinical demonstrations, simulated practice, online classrooms, supervised clinical practice and participation in the Continuity of Care Experience (CCE). 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. 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 entering university need significant support to transition into a learning and teaching environment where they are required to drive their own learning. To guide students in their learning, feedback is required to identify what is being done well, what requires additional work and to identify progress toward required learning outcomes. Located in the first year of the programme, this clinical practice unit includes significant face-to-face teaching hours to assist students in linking midwifery theory with practice. Learner-centred resource sessions are utilised to convey content and central principles while clinical demonstrations deliver interactive learning sessions. These sessions include formative feedback to build foundational tertiary study skills while also providing an opportunity to establish group-work and community learning skills. Online materials are introduced to provide students with a foundation for ongoing, self-directed, self-motivated, off-campus study. The supervised clinical practicum of 160 hours in relevant health care setting 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, LO4
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, LO4
Relating to
Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings, for safe, quality midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4
Relating to
Uses health assessment and health education to support birth and reproductive health, and minimise the potential for complications
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4
Relating to
Undertakes ongoing processes of reflection to ensure professional judgements acknowledge how personal culture impacts on practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4
Relating to
Supports the development, implementation and evaluation of evidenced-based health initiatives and programs, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4
Relating to
Engages in professional relationships and respectful partnerships
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4
Relating to
Supports the choices of the woman, with respect for families and communities in relation to maternity care
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4
Relating to
Partners with women to strengthen women’s capabilities and confidence to care for themselves and their families
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, 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, LO4
Relating to
Demonstrates the capability and accountability for midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO5
Relating to
Understands their scope of practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO5
Relating to
Practises within relevant legal parameters and professional standards, codes and guidelines
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO5
Relating to
Undertakes comprehensive assessments
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Works in partnership to determine factors that affect, or potentially affect, the health and wellbeing of women, communities and populations
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Uses assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Analyses information and data and communicates assessments and anticipated outcomes as the basis for midwifery practice, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Assesses the resources that are available to inform planning.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Develops a plan for midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4
Relating to
Interprets assessment data and best available evidence to develop a plan for practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4
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 OutcomeLO1, LO4
Relating to
Co-ordinates resources effectively and efficiently for planned actions, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4
Relating to
Documents, evaluates and modifies plans to facilitate the anticipated outcomes.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4
Relating to
Provides safety and quality in midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4
Relating to
Practises to achieve the agreed goals and anticipated outcomes that meet the needs of the woman
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4
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 OutcomeLO1, LO4
Relating to
Evaluates outcomes to improve midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4
Relating to
Evaluates and monitors progress towards planned goals and anticipated outcomes
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4
Relating to
Revises plan and actions based on evidence and what is learned from evaluation
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4