Foundations of Midwifery

Unit code:HMB1001Study level:Undergraduate

Credit points

12
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)

Location

St Albans

Prerequisites

HBM1001 - Anatomy and Physiology 1; and
HNB1102 - Foundations in Nursing 1
(Or equivalent to be determined by unit coordinator)
Co-requisites
(Corequisite units must be studied concurrently with this unit)

Overview

In this unit, students commence learning about the woman-centred care philosophy that underpins midwives’ practice with women during childbearing. A woman centred approach is linked to the unique context of women’s experiences of childbearing journey with an emphasis on health and wellness. The midwives’ role in facilitating women’s maternity care will be examined from international, national and local perspectives. Students explore views and experiences of childbearing for women grounded in the concepts of diversity and cultural safety with emphasis on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women’s health needs and choices for birthing. Students will develop skills in therapeutic communication, health assessment and the provision of high quality and safe prenatal care. Holistic health assessment and care of the woman and her baby during pregnancy are introduced with a focus on normal physiological adaptions in pregnancy, maternal nutrition and oral healthcare. In this unit, numeracy skills learnt in the Foundations of Nursing unit are linked to learning about safe administration of oral medications. Students will also commence the Continuity of Care program, recruiting two (2) women and undertake 24 hours observational placement with midwives to gain insights into, and reflect upon, the role and scope of practice of midwives in women’s maternity care.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

Analyse using a woman-centred approach, concepts related to health, wellness and the health care experience during childbearing, within the context of social health models;
Apply appropriate professional oral and written communication in care, documentation and handover;
Critique underpinning principles of midwifery clinical assessment and care during pregnancy, including holistic assessment of the woman and her unborn baby’s wellbeing;
Apply theoretical principles of quality use of medicines to ensure the safe practice and administration of oral medications; and
Exemplify safe and reflective professional practice while undertaking both Midwifery Practice Experience placement and the recruitment of two women for Continuity of Care Experiences.

Assessment

For Melbourne campuses

The assessment tasks link to the unit’s learning outcomes and graduate capabilities. In the first assessment students will submit a written piece to Identify the key attributes of therapeutic and professional communication integral to building partnerships with women they work with in practice. Following written feedback, students submit a second written piece that uses critiquing skills to investigate and apply the assessment principles and practices of the midwifery role in facilitating woman-centred care. The third assessment is a practical skills demonstration conducted face to face. The Practice Portfolio tasks (hurdle tasks) are used to record evidence of recruitment of two women for Continuity of Care experiences, observational hours undertaken in the practice setting and the fourth assessment is comprised of reflections on observational practice experience.
Students must also submit a signed and witnessed confidentiality agreement from the Midwifery Practice Portfolio.

To gain an overall pass in this unit, students must attend all practical laboratories for essential skill development as per ANMAC expectations. Students are required to complete and/or submit all assessments. Any absences and non-submissions must be supported with documentation and an application for special consideration via the CUA to the unit convenor.

Assessment type: Assignment | Grade: 30%

Identify and apply principles of midwifery clinical assessment and care during pregnancy to promote maternal and fetal wellbeing (700 words)

Assessment type: Assignment | Grade: 30%

Investigate and apply the principles and practices of midwifery and woman- centred care. (700 words)

Assessment type: Other | Grade: 20%

Practical skills assessment

Assessment type: Portfolio | Grade: 20%

Reflections related to observational practice experiences (500 words)

Assessment type: Test | Grade: 0%

Drug Calculation – open book self-directed learning (Hurdle)

Assessment type: Practicum | Grade: 0%

Interim Professional Practice (Hurdle)

Assessment type: Practicum | Grade: 0%

Final Professional Practice (Hurdle)

Students must achieve 100% for the drug calculations test (hurdle). Accuracy in medication administration is an absolute requirement for safe midwifery and nursing practice. Students have 2 attempts at the drug calculation test which is delivered via an online learning package). This test assesses the foundational numeracy skills necessary for medication calculations. Student support will be facilitated via the Learning Hub and Self Directed Learning Lab.

Practicum: Students must complete 40 midwifery practice experience hours. A pass/fail grade is awarded for professional record of attendance. The record of attendance must be completed and uploaded to the WIL system in full within 5 business working days of completing placement. If not uploaded in this timeframe, this will result in a Fail grade for the unit.

PLACEMENT:
Students must complete 40 midwifery practice experience hours and achieve the grade of pass in the Interim and Final Professional Practice Performance Appraisal for Midwifery. A pass/fail grade is awarded for professional practice as performance on placement is assessed against the Midwife Professional Standards criteria (NMBA). Supplementary assessment is not available for the Professional Practice Performance Appraisals.

Practicum - Interim Professional Practice Performance Appraisal (Hurdle) – meeting goals for placement on Midwifery Practice Placement in Practice Portfolio (formative – post 16hrs in Antenatal clinic).

Practicum - Final Professional Practice Performance Appraisal on Midwifery Practice Placement in Practice Portfolio (Hurdle). Summative reviewing goals for placement with support from clinical educator at the end of 40hr placement.