92383 Translating Research into Midwifery Practice

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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Health
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Postgraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

There 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 to understand how evidenced-based protocols /guidelines are developed and used in practice. A focus on using woman-centred language helps students develop the skills needed to share and discuss research evidence, not only with women and their families but also within the broader maternity care team.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

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.
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.	Understand how evidence-based protocols/guidelines are developed and used in practice
E.	Identify the midwives’ role in generating an evidence-based practice culture.
F.	Demonstrate the ability to use woman centred language when discussing and sharing the research evidence, not only with women and their families but also within the broader maternity care team.

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)
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 10 online learning modules (aligned to the first 10 weeks of the semester). Modules contain lectures, videos, readings and interactive activities. Lectures enable students to 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. Students use videos and other resources to understand research methodologies, statistics in practice and getting evidence into practice when working through the modules. Students are expected to work through a module every week.

ON CAMPUS WORKSHOPS
There will be two (2) compulsory on-campus workshops. Welcome Workshop 1: Thursday 22 February & Group Work Workshop 4: Thursday 9 May

There will be two (2) non- compulsory on-campus workshops. Workshop 2: Thursday 14 March & Workshop 3: Thursday 4 April.

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/ PRESENTATIONS
Presentations and role plays are used to assist students in understanding how to share evidence and the importance of respectful, woman-centred language.

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 by understanding how clinical policies and guidelines are developed and used in practice
Use of woman-centred and respectful ways to communicate best evidence with women and their families, as well as within the broader maternity care team

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Reading and reflecting on research (parts 1A&1B)

Intent:	1A: Reading research Assessment 1A is designed to build students’ confidence in their ability to identify and assess the key components/elements of published research (30%). 1B: Reflecting on the evidence for midwifery practice. Assessment 1B focuses the student's learning on the evidence and its likely relevance to childbearing women, families, other practitioners and the Australian maternity care context (30%).
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A and C This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 2.0
Type:	Essay
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	60%
Length:	Assessment 1A: 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. Assessment 1B: 500 words (references NOT included in the work count)

Assessment task 2: Critiquing and sharing the evidence

Intent:	2A: This assignment is an authentic activity that students will repeatedly be required to undertake as they journey through their midwifery careers. Having the confidence to search, find, review, apply and share the evidence, using a woman centred framework, is an important and lifelong skill. This assessment item is also designed to foster the student's ability to work in partnership with women and the multidisciplinary team and use appropriate woman-centred language to facilitate their ability to support women to make informed decisions about their maternity care (30%). 2B: This part of the assignment will foster the student's ability to critically reflect on the information that is being presented to them by fellow students and develop their skills in providing constructive feedback to their colleagues (10%).
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): B, C, D, E and F This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 2.0 and 6.0
Type:	Presentation
Groupwork:	Group, group assessed
Weight:	40%
Length:	10-15 minute presentation

Required texts

Pairman, Tracy, S. K., Dahlen, H., & Dixon, L. (2018). Midwifery: Preparation for Practice. Elsevier Australia. (Available online as an ebook from the UTS Library). Required reading Chapter 7: Tracy, S.K. 'Ways of looking at evidence and measurement '

Recommended texts

Hoffmann, T., Bennett, S., & Del Mar, C. B. (2013). Evidence-Based Practice Across the Health Professions, 2nd edn. - E-Book. Elsevier Australia. (Available online from the UTS Library).

Whitehead, D., Ferguson, C., Lo-Biondo-Wood, G. & Haber, J. (2020). Nursing and midwifery research: methods and appraisal for evidence based practice, 6th edn. Elsevier Australia.

References

Leap, N. & Hunter, B. (2016). Supporting women for labour and birth: a thoughtful guide. Routledge London.

Page, L. & McCandlish, R. (2020). The new midwifery: science and sensitivity in practice, 3rd edn. Churchill Livingstone Edinburgh.

Walsh, D. (2012). Evidence and skills for normal labour and birth: A guide for midwives, 2nd edn. Routledge London.

Other resources

UTS Student Centre
Building 10
Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm
Tel: 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887)

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UTS Library
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