92353 Midwifery Practice 1: Preparation for Practice
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Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Pass fail, no marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject contributes to the overall course by preparing students for initial midwifery practice. This subject commences in the 'Welcome to Midwifery Week' activities.
Students focus on learning clinical skills related to midwifery practice including observations, palpation, percussion, auscultation, urinalysis and psychosocial assessments.
Students are prepared for their entry to the practice environment including professional responsibilities and conduct, occupational health and safety, the requirements for clinical practice and completion of professional portfolios. Students are expected to provide midwifery care (under the direct supervision of a midwife) based on the clinical decision making of others.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| A. | Conduct a physical and mental health assessment of a childbearing woman and relate the findings of the assessments to normal ranges |
|---|---|
| B. | Conduct an assessment of a newborn baby and relate the findings of the assessment to normal ranges |
| C. | Recognise and report deviations from normal ranges |
| D. | Document and report findings from assessments |
| E. | Demonstrate appropriate communication skills when interacting with women and their newborn babies during the processes of assessment |
| F. | Provide midwifery care (under the direct supervision of a midwife) based on the clinical decision-making of others and meet the appropriate competencies |
| G. | Demonstrate appropriate proficiency in medication administration calculations |
Teaching and learning strategies
In this subject, students participate in a range of teaching and learning strategies that are designed to encourage them to engage with contemporary, evidence-based midwifery care and practice, particularly around normal birth.
ONLINE LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Students access online learning resources including pre-class activities, podcasts, videos, online discussion boards either prior to or in place of face-to-face attendance. Students will be exposed to online materials that have been specifically developed to support first year students including a video of a typical clinical handover in a Labour Ward setting. Students view these prior to coming to class and face-to-face discussions augment the materials.
FACE-TO-FACE CLASSES
Face-to-face lectures, tutorials, group work and online activities enable students to clarify, discuss and develop subject concepts. These classes are supported by follow-up in class activities including an activity specifically designed to familiarise students with the common materials and items they will encounter in the clinical setting.
CLINICAL SKILLS, COMMUNICATION AND SIMULATION
Students participate in the simulated practice of clinical skills used in midwifery practice, including supporting women in labour, the safe administration of medications and competency in drug calculations. Students also participate in the introductory interpretation of fetal welfare assessments through simulation and class discussion. Students learn and practise clinical and interpersonal skills with case scenarios in the classroom. These practice scenarios incorporate the development of professional communication skills including consultation and referral to medical colleagues. Readiness for practice is assessed through a care plan and a reflection on clinical experience using the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) competency standards for the midwife. Students must also successfully complete the required period of clinical practice as part of this subject and submit their professional experience placement portfolio for assessment at the end of the semester.
CASE STUDIES AND STORIES FROM PRACTICE
Case studies and stories from the student’s time in clinical practice depict people and their families in clinical, community and social situations. Students use these scenarios to learn concepts, interpret information and develop creative solutions. They develop critical thinking through analysis, interpretation of and reflection on issues or situations.
SEMINARS AND ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Seminars involve students either individually or in groups making presentations to the class. Students receive feedback from peers, clinical educators and lecturers not only on their knowledge of a subject area, but also their ability to communicate their thoughts and relevant information in a clear, coherent and confident manner.
PROFESSIONAL ePORTFOLIO
Students further develop their professional ePortfolio. This online record encourages students to take an active role in the documentation, observation and review of their own progress. It is a powerful tool for focusing awareness or attention on what has been learned throughout the course, self-assessment and the development of a professional identity.
Content (topics)
Clinical skills
- Clinical skills related to midwifery, for example, observations, palpation, percussion, auscultation, urinalysis and mental health assessments
- Basic hygiene and mobility needs
- Effective and timely documentation
- Strategies to support normal birth
- Newborn assessment
- Communication skills including ISBAR
- Consultation and referral including escalation of care
- Adult, neonatal and infant basic life support
- National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards
Theoretical support of practice skills
- Standard precautions principles
- Occupational health and safety
- Manual handling skills
Clinical assessment in practice
- Principles and practicalities of the continuity of care experiences, including setting professional boundaries, time management and scope of practice.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Medication Administration Assessment
| Intent: | The intent of this assessment is to develop students competence regarding the safe administration of medications to women and babies in their care. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): G This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): .5 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Criteria: | This assessment is graded as Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. |
Assessment task 2: Observed Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
| Intent: | The intent of this assessment is to prepare students for their first clinical placement and to assess the clinical knowledge and skills learnt in the semester. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A and B This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): .0 and .0 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Criteria: | This assessment is graded as Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. |
Assessment task 3: Midwifery clinical placement documentation
| Intent: | In keeping with the ANMAC Accreditation Standards for the Midwife students must keep a written record and reflect on their required supervised midwifery practice experiences in their Midwifery Professional Experience Placement (PEP) Portfolio. The PEP Portfolio is required as evidence of meeting the minimum clinical requirements in order to the eligible to apply for registration as a midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Austarlia at the completion of the course.The intent of this assessment item is to assess students' clinical learning and development in accordance with the Standards for the Midwife. This portfolio is kept for the duration of the course. Students need to ensure that the PEP portfolio is safety kept at all times and that appropriate copies are kept in case of loss. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C, D and E This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): .0, .0, .2, .3 and .5 |
| Type: | Portfolio |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Criteria: | This assessment is graded as Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. |
Required texts
Marshall, J.E. & Raynor, M.D. 2014, Myles' textbook for midwives, 16th edn, Churchill Livingston, Sydney.
Johnson, R. , Taylor, W., de-Vitry, S. & Bayes. S. 2019, Skills for midwifery practice, Australia and New Zealand edn, Churchill Livingston, Edinburgh.
References
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care 2012, National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards, Sydney, ACSQHC.
Catling, C., Cummins, A. & Hogan, R. 2016, Stories in Midwifery: Reflection, inquiry, action, Elsevier, Sydney.
Gray, J. & Smith, R. 2018, Midwifery essentials, 2nd edn., Elsevier, Sydney.
Gray, J., Smith, R. & Homer, C. 2018, Illustrated dictionary of midwifery, 2nd edn., Elsevier Australia, Sydney.
Johnson, R. , Taylor, W., de-Vitry, S. & Bayes. S. 2019, Skills for midwifery practice, Australia and New Zealand edn, Churchill Livingston, Edinburgh.
Marshall, J.E. & Raynor, M.D. 2014, Myles' textbook for midwives, 16th edn, Churchill Livingston, Sydney.
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia 2006, National Competency Standards for the Midwife, NMBA, Canberra.
Pairman, S., Tracy, S., Dahlen, H. & Dixon, L. (eds) 2019, Midwifery: preparation for practice, 4th edn, Book 1, Elsevier, Sydney.
Pairman, S., Tracy, S., Dahlen, H. & Dixon, L. (eds) 2019, Midwifery: preparation for practice, 4th edn, Book 2, Elsevier, Sydney.
Stables, D., & Rankin, J. (2011). Physiology in childbearing with anatomy and related biosciences. (3rd ed). Baillir?e Tindall Elsevier.
Waugh, A. & Grant, A. 2014, Ross & Wilson anatomy and physiology in health and illness, 12th edn, Churchill Livingstone, Sydney.
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