92380 Translating Research into Midwifery Practice
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Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject provides students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to be able to effectively translate evidence into midwifery practice as well as be aware of the value and utility of research within the practice environment. Students gain a broad understanding of quantitative and qualitative approaches to research and explore the different study designs that are common in maternity care. The ability to critique the evidence assists students formulate evidence-based guidelines. A focus on using woman-centred language helps students develop the skills needed to be able to discuss research findings with women in practice.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| A. | Describe the role of research in midwifery practice and the advantages, disadvantages and constraints of evidence-based practice from the perspective of midwives, women and policy makers. |
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| B. | Locate current research literature from a range of methodologies related to a specific topic. |
| C. | Critique the validity and reliability of the methods used in different studies. |
| D. | Formulate evidence based guidelines and demonstrate the ability to use woman centred language when discussing the findings with women. |
| E. | Identify the midwives’ role in generating an evidence-based practice culture. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:
- Practise woman-centred care (1.0)
- Are professionally competent midwives who provide safe and effective midwifery care using intelligent kindness (2.0)
- Communicate effectively using spoken, written and non-verbal language across a range of contexts and to diverse audiences (2.3)
- Are professionally engaged critical thinkers who take a lively and questioning approach and embrace lifelong learning (6.0)
Teaching and learning strategies
In this subject, students participate in a range of teaching and learning strategies that are designed to encourage them to develop the necessary knowledge and skills to translate research into practice.
ONLINE LEARNING MODULES
This subject is structured in 8 online learning modules. Modules contain lectures, videos, readings and interactive activities. Lectures enable students to clarify, discuss and develop subject concepts. Videos and readings explaining key concepts are made available to students so that they can go back and clarify concepts especially in relation to understanding study designs.The online learning activities strongly support the lectures, including preparatory and follow-up activities. Students are encouraged to access online learning resources including podcasts, videos, professional and grey literature prior to attending face-to-face sessions. Students use video and other resources on understanding research methodologies, statistics in practice and getting evidence into practice when working through the modules.
STORIES AND SCENARIOS
Stories and scenarios are used to help students explore health and wellbeing-related situations. The teaching team encourages students to bring real-life scenarios to class highlighting where they have seen research translated into practice and where they have not. Group activities include class discussions and feedback on the utility of evidence in practice and understanding why some evidence is easy to get into practice and some is hard.
SIMULATED IN-CLASS ROLE PLAYS
The teaching team uses a role play to assist students to understand the importance of respectful, woman-centred language. Class discussion then follows about the way in which midwives discuss issues with women. The discussion also prompts students to reflect on their own skills, values and experiences.
COLLABORATIVE LEARNING ACTIVITIES
This subject involves collaborative group activities reflecting on the translation of research into practice. Students spend time working on their small group assignment with formative feedback and assistance provided by the teaching team.
Content (topics)
Evidence based midwifery practice
- Principles of translating evidence into practice
- The 5 steps to evidence-based midwifery care
- Strengths and limitations of using an evidence-based approach in practice
Research methods
- Common research methods in maternity care: design, sample, data collection and analysis
- Evaluation of the evidence presented in different methodologies
- Translation of different methodologies into practice settings
Translating research into practice
- Translation of evidence into midwifery practice through clinical policies and guidelines
- Use of woman-centred and respectful ways to communicate best evidence with women and families
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Formulating research questions
| Intent: | This assessment will assist students to consider possible research questions relating to the clinical practice of midwives. Midwifery practice should always be based on evidence and considering clinical practice through a research lens is important in order to enhance quality and safety. |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): B, C and E This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 2.0 and 6.0 |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | Please provide responses to the questions in the template. Do not delete fields or change the content of the template. There is no need to add extra text at the end of the assessment. This assessment is designed to be equivalent to approximately 800 words. |
Assessment task 2: Critique of the evidence
| Intent: | This assignment mirrors an authentic activity that you will need to undertake as a midwife. Midwifery practice should always be based on evidence so finding and reviewing the evidence is an important skill and knowledge to develop. In addition, you need to be able to apply the evidence into practice through the development of a practice-based protocol. In practice, this activity is always done in a multidisciplinary team. Therefore, you will be required to do the assignment in a small group which will also develop your teamwork skills. |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): B, C, D and E This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 2.0 and 6.0 |
| Groupwork: | Group, group and individually assessed |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | Part 1 - 3000 words |
Assessment task 3: Case study: facilitating informed decision making
| Intent: | This assessment focuses on the students' ability to work in partnership with women, use appropriate woman-centred language and the students' ability to facilitate and enable informed choices in midwifery/obstetric care. |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, D and E This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 2.0 and 2.3 |
| Type: | Case study |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 800 words |
Required texts
Pages 112-120 of Tracy, S.K. 'Ways of looking at evidence and measurement' (Chapter 7) in 'Midwifery: preparation for practice' by Pairman, S., Tracy, S.K., Dahlen, H.G. and Dixon, L. (eds). available as an online ebook from the UTS Library
Recommended texts
Hoffmann, T., Bennett, S. & Del Mar, C. 2013, Evidence-based practice across the health professions, 2nd edn, Churchill Livingstone, Chatswood, Australia.
Schnieder, Z. Whitehead, D., Lo-Biondo-Wood, G. & Haber, J. 2014, Nursing and midwifery research: methods and appraisal for evidence based practice, 5th edn, Elsevier, Chatswood NSW..
Walsh, D. 2012, Evidence and skills for normal labour and birth: A guide for midwives, 2nd edn, Routledge, London.
References
Leap, N. 2012, The power of words revisited, Essentially MIDIRS, vol. 3, no. 1.
Melnyk, B. & Fineout-Overholt, E. 2011, Evidence-based practice in nursing and healthcare, 2nd edn, Wolters Kluwer, London.
Page, L. & McCandlish, R. 2006, The new midwifery: science and sensitivity in practice, 2nd edn, Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh.
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