92672 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 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)
| A. | Describe the role of evidence 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)
- 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)
- 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 9 online learning modules. 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 the modules listed in the folder for each week.
ON CAMPUS WORKSHOPS
There will be four (4) compulsory on-campus workshops:
- Workshop One: Welcome - Thursday, 8th August 2024
- Workshop Two: Critiquing and interpreting research papers - Thursday, 29th August 2024
- Workshop Three: Translating Evidence into Practice - Thursday, 26th September 2024
- Workshop Four: Reflecting on the importance of evidence-based midwifery practice - Thursday, 31st October 2024.
OPTION ZOOM SESSIONS
Optional Zoom Q&A sessions will be held in weeks 2, 3, 6 and 10. These are NOT compulsory. The optional Zoom sessions will be student lead and tailored to meet the needs of those attending. It is expected that students have completed the modules for the previous week and participated in the relevant discussion board before attending the Zoom session. Additional sessions will be planned based on student feedback.
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.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
An aim of this subject is to help you develop academic and professional language and communication skills to succeed at university and in the workplace. During this subject, you will complete a milestone assessment task that will, in addition to assessing your subject-specific learning objectives, assess your English language proficiency.
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 (Assessment 1A and 1B)
| Intent: | Assessment 1A: Reading Research Assessment 1B: Reflecting on the Evidence for Midwifery Practice |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C and E This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 2.0, 2.2 and 6.0 |
| Type: | Essay |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 60% |
| Length: | Part A: Approximately 3 - 4 pages Part B: Minimum 600 words |
| Criteria: | This assessment will receive a grade. Further information: Information about Assessment 1 will be provided in Workshop One as well as in Canvas. There will also be class discussions related to both aspects of this assessment item. |
Assessment task 2: Critically appraising, interpreting, and sharing the evidence to support evidence-based midwifery practice and inform women’s decision making (Assessment 2A and 2B)
| Intent: | Assessment 2A: Critically appraising, interpreting, and sharing the evidence to support evidence-based midwifery practice and inform women’s decision making Assessment 2B: Peer Review |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C, D, E and F This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 2.0, 2.2 and 6.0 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Group, group and individually assessed |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | Part A: 15 minutes max. Part B: 1 - 2 pages |
| Criteria: | Part A: Students will receive a grade. Part B: Students will only receive a pass or fail for completing this part of the assessment. Students who pass will receive full marks. |
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. (2017). Evidence-based practice across the health professions (3rd ed.). Churchill Livingstone.
Walsh, D. (2012). Evidence and skills for normal labour & birth: A guide for midwives (2nd ed.). Routledge.
Whitehead, D., Ferguson, C., LoBiondo-Wood, G., & Haber, J. (2020). Nursing and Midwifery Research: Methods and Appraisal for Evidence Based Practice (6th ed.). Elsevier.
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
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Improve your academic and English language skills
Marks for all assessment tasks such as assignments and examinations are given not only for what you write but also for how you write. If you would like the opportunity to improve your academic and English language skills, make an appointment with the HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support) Service in Student Services.
HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support)
HELPS provides assistance with English language proficiency and academic language. Students who need to develop their written and/or spoken English should make use of the free services offered by HELPS, including academic language workshops, vacation intensive courses, drop-in consultations, individual appointments and Conversations@UTS (www.ssu.uts.edu.au/helps). HELPS staff are also available for drop-in consultations at the UTS Library. Phone (02) 9514 9733.
Please see www.uts.edu.au for additional information on other resources provided to students by UTS.
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