92367 Midwifery as a Public Health Strategy
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Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject contributes to students' understanding of midwifery as a public health strategy situated in a woman-centred and primary healthcare framework. Students explore midwifery within a broad social context influenced by particular social, cultural, political and economic environments. Students are supported to appreciate the impact that social disadvantage and other vulnerabilities have on women and their families. The subject encourages critical examination of systems and practices designed to support and promote optimal health outcomes within the context of maternal and newborn health.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| A. | Appraise midwifery as a public health strategy and identify aspects of practice that relate to public health |
|---|---|
| B. | Illustrate the impact that social disadvantage and other vulnerabilities have on women’s ability to access safe and appropriate maternity care |
| C. | In a simulated environment, demonstrate skills in specific aspects of midwifery as public health practice including smoking cessation, limiting weight gain, promotion of breastfeeding and health promotion |
| D. | Explain how the Australian health care system facilitates a framework of primary health care in relation to the provision of and access to midwifery care |
| E. | Reflect on privilege and how this impacts on women’s ability to access universal health care |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:
- Practice woman-centred care (1.0)
- Are professionally competent midwives who provide safe and effective midwifery care using intelligent kindness (2.0)
- Demonstrate critical thinking and sound clinical judgment that is based on evidence and reflects appropriate reasoning within the relevant professional codes and guidelines (2.2)
- Work collaboratively in order to provide excellence in maternity care (3.0)
- Are resilient, emotionally competent midwives who foster human flourishing (4.0)
- Are socially responsible citizens who value the diversity of people (5.0)
- Demonstrate professional cultural competency which contributes to the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians, inclusive of physical, social, emotional and spiritual wellness (7.0)
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 practise midwifery in a primary health care framework as part of a public health strategy.
ONLINE LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Students access online learning resources including pre-class activities, podcasts, videos, professional and grey literature prior to attending face-to-face sessions. Attendance patterns for this subject require students to rely on online modes to deliver content and support learning. Online activities are then reviewed and discussed in class to share learning, experiences and reflections.
STORIES AND SCENARIOS
Stories and scenarios are used to help students explore health and wellbeing-related scenarios. Cases depict women and their families in a primary health care setting. Students use these scenarios to learn concepts, interpret information, form judgments and develop creative solutions. Students develop critical thinking through analysis, interpretation of and reflection on issues or situations.
SIMULATED ROLE PLAYS
Role play enables students to practise new skills learnt through theory and knowledge development. Scenarios from relevant situations are used to depict real life experiences in midwifery. Students interact, observe and provide feedback within the facilitated debriefing, and reflect on their own skills, values and experiences.
COLLABORATIVE LEARNING ACTIVITIES
The majority of the face-to-face time in this subject involves collaborative group activities and workshops. Staff support students to engage in content prior to attending class, and class time focuses on group learning and mentored activities to support learning. Small group activities develop students’ understanding of public health campaigns.
PERSONAL, PROFESSIONAL AND EXPERT NARRATIVES
Guest speakers provide students with personal and professional stories in relation to the subject content. Hearing stories from both a professional and personal perspective supports students to relate learning to real world situations.
Content (topics)
Overview of public health as a health and wellness strategy
- The social determinants of health
- Primary health care and universal health coverage
- Health promotion and disease prevention
Primary health care system in Australia
- Maternity service provision in Australia including models of continuity of midwifery care
- The primary health care system (primary maternity services, primary care services, GP services)
- Collaborative practice including consultation and referral
Specific areas for public health emphasis in maternity services
- Motivational interviewing theory and techniques
- Obesity in pregnancy – a public health approach
- Public health priorities in midwifery - non-communicable diseases; alcohol, tobacco and other drug use (AOD) and vulnerable populations
Using digital technology as a public health strategy
- Preconception and interpregnancy care
- Using smart phone apps for behaviour change in the reproductive years
- Universal proportionalism and designing interventions
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Creative piece abstract
| Intent: | This abstact gives students the opportunity to plan and summarise the ideas for their creative piece. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): D and E This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0 and 5.0 |
| Weight: | 10% |
| Length: | 200-300 words |
Assessment task 2: Creative piece
| Intent: | Midwifery is considered an art and we acknowledge students learn and express themselves in a variety of ways. This assessment piece is designed to allow for creative ideas that represent midwifery continuity of care by reflecting attirbutes of woman-centered care, professional competence and diversity. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A and D This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 2.2, 3.0 and 5.0 |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | Part A: 1000 words |
Assessment task 3: Recording / video
| Intent: | This assessment piece is designed to give you the opportunity to practice motivational interviewing in a simulated manner. This enables you to develop your midwifery skills for clinical practice. Such skills contribute to the concept of midwifery as a public health strategy within the principles of primary health care. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, C and E This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 7.0 |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Length: | Part A: Vod/podcast: Duration of the interview should be a minimum of 5 mins and a maximum of 10 mins. (Group) |
Required texts
Catling, C., Cummins, A. & Hogan, R. (2016). Stories in Midwifery: Reflection, Action, Enquiry. Elsevier, Sydney.
Eddy, A. 'Midwifery as Primary Health Care', in S. Pairman, et al. (2019). Midwifery preparation for practice, 4th edn, Elsevier, Sydney. pp. 79-88.
All additional readings, other than textbooks, will be available via links from within UTSOnline. The required preparatory activities for this subject will be advised on Canvas. Please complete the set preparatory activities prior to the class in the week required.
NB: It is essential that students complete all required preparatory activities.
References
Best, O. & Fredericks, B. (eds) (2018). Yatdjuligin: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nursing & Midwifery Care, 2nd edn, Melbourne, Australia: Cambridge University Press.
Edwards, G. & Byrom, S. (2007). Essential midwifery practice: public health. Oxford, UK: Blackwell.
Guzys, D. & Petrie, E. (Eds) (2013). An Introduction to Community and Primary Health Care. Melbourne, Australia: Cambridge University Press.
Homer, C., Brodie, P. Sandall, J. & Leap, N. (2019). Midwifery continuity of care: a practical guide. 2nd edn. Chatswood, Australia: Churchill Livingstone,
Sandall J, Soltani H, Gates S, Shennan A, & Devane D. (2016). Midwife-led continuity models versus other models of care for childbearing women. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, issue 4. Art. No.: CD004667. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004667.pub5
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