Unit rationale, description and aim
This unit extends and integrates learning from MIDW100 Clinical Midwifery Practice 1 or MDGE101 Introduction to Midwifery Practice, through simulation laboratories and supervised clinical practice, with a focus on normal labour and birth. Students have the opportunity to develop skills to support women during labour and birth and the immediate period following birth in collaboration with midwives and the health care team. The common interventions in labour and birth will be examined within the simulated environment to build confidence and skills prior to the clinical component of the unit. Students will continue to participate in and learn from the Continuity of Care Experience.
This unit is required by students to assist them to develop knowledge and skills to support women during labour and birth and the immediate period following birth, in collaboration with midwives and the health care team.
The aim of this second Clinical Midwifery Practice unit is to provide the foundations on which clinical assessments are based, build on earlier learning about the anatomy and the physiological processes of childbearing, and model the way in which students will contextualise their theoretical knowledge through clinical practice.
We recognise that people who access maternity care may have diverse gender identities, that those who do can experience marginalisation and oppression, and that using appropriate terminology can help with these community members’ recognition and visibility, acknowledge the variety of pregnancy and birth experiences people may have, and respect individuals’ preferences. To reflect this, terms such as ‘pregnant person’, ‘birthing person’, ‘childbearing people’, ‘parent’ and ‘chestfeeding’ may be used in the midwifery courses at ACU in addition to ‘woman’, ‘mother’, ‘maternity’, ‘maternal’ and ‘breastfeeding’, which are used not to exclude those who do not identify as a woman, but in recognition that women continue to be marginalised and oppressed in many places around the world and to respect their own individual preferences.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Demonstrate comprehensive assessment, planning and...
Learning Outcome 01
Apply legal and ethical frameworks, policies and p...
Learning Outcome 02
Reflect on their learning to initiate and evaluate...
Learning Outcome 03
Extend their professional portfolio, demonstrating...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
Legal and professional practice
- Scope of practice
- Consultation and collaboration including referral
- Informed consent
- Documentation including health informatics and health technology
- Medication knowledge and administration
- Med+Safe medication calculations
- Assertive communication skills
Midwifery knowledge and practice
- Assessment skills
- Interviewing and history taking techniques for women in labour
- Abdominal examination
- Vaginal examination
- Intermittent and continuous fetal monitoring
- Physical assessment of maternal health
Midwifery skills
- Active birth positions and movement during labour
- Safe use of water for labour and birth
- Non-pharmacological therapeutics e.g. massage, intradermal water injections
- Facilitation of normal birth including third stage
- Perineal assessment and perineal suturing
- Skin to skin and initiation of breastfeeding
- Preliminary debriefing of labour and birth experience
Interventions during labour and birth (collaborative and autonomous)
- Induction and augmentation
- Artificial rupture of membranes
- Urinary catheter insertion
- Episiotomy
- Epidural, spinal anaesthesia
- Instrumental birth
- Caesarean section, including preparation and care during recovery
- Maternal and neonatal resuscitation techniques
Risk assessment, prevention and management
- Intrapartum and postpartum haemorrhage
Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
- Revise IM, Sc and IV and neonatal injections
- Epidural medications
- Narcotics
- Local anaesthetics
- Review IV management and fluid balance
- Blood transfusion
- Drug calculations
Midwifery as primary health care
- Cultural safety
- Involving women and their families in decision making
Reflective and ethical practice
- Maintaining professional portfolio
- Reflective practice
- Identifying and responding to own and others’ learning needs
- Evidence-based practice
Assessment strategy and rationale
A range of assessment items consistent with University assessment requirements and policy will be used to ensure students achieve the unit learning outcomes and attain the graduate attributes.
Assessment methods will primarily evaluate the student’s understanding of the discipline-specific knowledge inherent in this unit and its application within a professional context. An on-campus assessment of a clinical skill using the Aboriginal 'hands on' way of knowing will provide the opportunity for feedback for the student in a safe environment reflective of assessment in clinical practice where professional competency is a requirement for the role of a midwife. The continued development of the professional midwifery portfolio will allow the students to showcase their learning experiences (clinical and CCE) in a professional manner ensuring that documentation meets the professional legal requirements for practice experiences. Students must achieve a pass grade in both assessment items to pass this unit.
These assessments are required to build student knowledge and skills which, by the conclusion of this programme, will enable the student to graduate as a safe and effective midwife.
Overview of assessments
Assessment Task 1 - On-campus Practice Competenc...
Assessment Task 1 - On-campus Practice Competency
Enables students to demonstrate competency in professional behavour, communication skills and safe and effective implementation of midwifery skills and knowledge.
Pass/Fail
Assessment Task 2 - Professional Midwifery ...
Assessment Task 2 - Professional Midwifery Portfolio
Enables students to showcase their clinical experiences in a professional manner, inclusive of the Continuity of Care Experience, ensuring that documentation meets the professional and legal requirements for practice.
Pass/Fail
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
Modes of delivery in this unit include group learning activities such as skill demonstrations, simulated practice, online classroom, supervisied clinical practice, participation in the the Continuity of Care Experience (CCE) and self-directed study. Consistent with adult learning principles, the teaching and learning strategies used within these modes of delivery will provide students with foundational knowledge and skills relevant to professional nursing practice. These strategies will also support students in meeting the aim, learning outcomes and graduate attributes of the unit and the broader course learning outcomes. Learning and teaching strategies will reflect respect for the individual as an independent learner, they will include hands on methods, story sharing, community linking and other Aboriginal ways of learning. Students will be expected to take responsibility for their learning and to participate actively with peers. Scenario-based learning, case-based learning, problem-based learning and inquiry-based learning are all used to support the development of students' independent learning ability.
Students undertaking a tertiary qualification need skills to assist them in managing their individual learning. Feedback and effective self-reflection are required to identify what is being done well, what requires additional work and to identify progress toward required learning outcomes. Located in the second year of the programme, this clinical unit assists students to link theory with its application and to build life-long learning skills. Group learning activities are utilised to convey content and central principles while laboratories and simulation deliver interactive learning sessions which assist students to apply theory to clinical practice and build self-reflection skills. The supervised clinical practicum of 120 hours provides a safe environment where students can provide assisted woman-centred care essential for successful graduate practice.
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Midwife Standards for Practice
In connection to the learning outcomes, these Midwife standards for practice provide a framework for midwifery practice in all contexts. They also inform women, and others including consumers, those who regulate, educate, collaborate with and manage midwives on what to expect from a midwife’s practice.
Relating to
Promotes health and wellbeing through evidence-based midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1
Relating to
Identifies what is important to women as the foundation for using evidence to promote informed decision-making, participation in care, and self-determination
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1
Relating to
Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings, for safe, quality midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1
Relating to
Engages in professional relationships and respectful partnerships
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2
Relating to
Supports the choices of the woman, with respect for families and communities in relation to maternity care
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2
Relating to
Practises ethically, with respect for dignity, privacy, confidentiality, equity and justice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2
Relating to
Demonstrates the capability and accountability for midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Understands their scope of practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Practises within relevant legal parameters and professional standards, codes and guidelines
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Participates in own continuing professional development to maintain the required knowledge and skill base for safe and effective practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Contributes to a culture that supports learning, teaching, knowledge transfer and critical reflection
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Engages in timely consultation, referral and documentation
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Uses relevant processes to identify, document and manage complexity and risk
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Recognises and responds appropriately where safe and quality practice may be compromised, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Considers and responds in a timely manner to the health and wellbeing of self and others in relation to the capability for practice.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Undertakes comprehensive assessments
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4
Relating to
Works in partnership to determine factors that affect, or potentially affect, the health and wellbeing of women, communities and populations
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4
Relating to
Uses assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4
Relating to
Analyses information and data and communicates assessments and anticipated outcomes as the basis for midwifery practice, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4
Relating to
Assesses the resources that are available to inform planning.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4
Relating to
Develops a plan for midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2
Relating to
Interprets assessment data and best available evidence to develop a plan for practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2
Relating to
Collaboratively develops plans until options, priorities, goals, actions, anticipated outcomes and timeframes are agreed with the woman, and/or relevant others
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2
Relating to
Co-ordinates resources effectively and efficiently for planned actions, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2
Relating to
Documents, evaluates and modifies plans to facilitate the anticipated outcomes.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2
Relating to
Provides safety and quality in midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1
Relating to
Practises to achieve the agreed goals and anticipated outcomes that meet the needs of the woman
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1
Relating to
Is responsible for consultation and referral and/or escalation in situations that are outside the individual’s scope of practice, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1
Relating to
Evaluates outcomes to improve midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3
Relating to
Revises plan and actions based on evidence and what is learned from evaluation
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3
Relating to
Uses evaluation and reflection to inform future practice and professional development
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3