Unit rationale, description and aim
In this foundational midwifery unit within the Bachelor of Midwifery, the underpinning knowledge, philosophies, roles and practice of midwifery are introduced. Students develop their knowledge of women's health, normal human anatomy and physiology and health assessment, including the alterations and changes in normal pregnancy. Students are introduced to foundational midwifery assessment skills. Collaborative and autonomous aspects of midwifery practice are explored in relation to primary health care principles and the scope of midwifery practice. The concept of community engagement will be introduced in this unit as an element of reflective practice and promoting the common good.
The foundations of midwifery unit are required by students to embed fundamental knowledge around what it is to be a midwife, inclusive of the autonomous and collaborative aspects of midwifery practice in relation to primary health care, across the childbirth continuum.
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 an understanding of the scope and role...
Learning Outcome 01
Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of ...
Learning Outcome 02
Demonstrate academic literacy skills as applied to...
Learning Outcome 03
Develop beginning communication skills appropriate...
Learning Outcome 04
Demonstrate foundational knowledge of physiologica...
Learning Outcome 05
Demonstrate an understanding of the philosophy of ...
Learning Outcome 06
Content
Topics will include:
Legal and professional practice
- Introduce the NMBA published codes and standards for the midwife – behaviour
- Introduce the role of AHPRA for midwives
- Documentation and use of health informatics and health technology
- Med+Safe medication calculations – HSS standard (medication) NQSHC standards (medication safety)
- Introduction to course requirements including Community Engagement
- legal content
- Documentation
- Confidentiality and informed consent
- Scope of practice
- Professional boundaries
- Assertive communication skills
Midwifery knowledge and practice
- Role of the midwife
- Primary care across the childbearing continuum
- Autonomous midwifery practice
- Collaborative midwifery practice
- Philosophies of midwifery
- Woman-centred care
- Partnership with women
- Relational continuity of care
- Psychosocial aspects of childbearing
- Health education
- Psychosocial alteration and adaptation
- Anatomical, physiological alterations and adaptations
- Conception, embryology and fetal development (introductory level)
- Psycho-social assessment
- Abdominal examination (theory)
- Antenatal screening (theory)
- Responding to difficult emotions (e.g. anger, sadness) (tute role play potential)
- Evidence-based midwifery (introductory and midwifery specific)
Midwifery as primary health care
- Women in society
- Role and function of the midwife in health and wellbeing of the childbearing family
- Midwifery as a public health strategy across the life span
- Primary Health Care (PHC): Principles, philosophy and strategies
- Theoretical bases for health promotion and health education in childbearing
- The importance of birthing on Country for Indigenous Australian women
Reflective and ethical practice
- Clinical reasoning theories and frameworks related to:
- Problem solving
- Critical thinking
- Reflection - Gibbs reflective cycle
Assessment strategy and rationale
A range of assessment procedures consistent with University assessment requirements will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes.
Assessment methods will primarily evaluate the student’s understanding of the discipline of midwifery and introduce beginning clinical skills required for undertaking a health assessment. An early assessment in week four of the semester will provide students with an opportunity for feedback regarding their progress in the development of academic writing in the midwifery context. Assessment two enables students to achieve sound communication skills and demonstrate understanding of key issues in foundational midwifery practice. The examination enables students to demonstrate a sound knowledge base in addressing content and process questions related to unit content.
These assessments are required to build student knowledge and skills which, by the conclusion of this program, will enable the student to graduate as a safe and effective midwife.
In order to pass this unit, students are required to comply with all attendance requirements, submit all assignments on or before the due date (unless an Extension has been approved by the LIC), and achieve an aggregate mark of at least 50%.
The assessment tasks for this unit are designed for students to demonstrate achievement of each learning outcome.
Overview of assessments
Assessment Task 1 - Written Assignment ...
Assessment Task 1 - Written Assignment
Enables students to demonstrate achievement of skills in academic writing and referencing and to articulate their knowledge and understanding of beginning clinicals skills in midwifery
20%
Assessment Task 2 - Group Presentation Enables s...
Assessment Task 2 - Group Presentation
Enables students to achieve sound communication skills and demonstrate understanding of key issues in foundational midwifery practice.
30%
Assessment Task 3 - Examination Enables students ...
Assessment Task 3 - Examination
Enables students to demonstrate overall knowledge and understanding of content in the unit.
50%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit fosters student-centred active learning and accommodates diverse student needs. It includes a combination of real-time classes and self-paced, online learning. Early and additional feedback on learning, and tailored support, are provided to facilitate students’ transition to university. Modes of delivery in this unit include group learning activities such as role play, simulated practice, self-directed study, learner-centred resource sessions, tutorials/workshops, online classrooms, story sharing and other Aboriginal ways of learning.
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 midwifery 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. 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 entering university need significant support to transition into a learning and teaching environment where they are required to drive their own learning. To guide students in their learning, feedback is required to identify what is being done well, what requires additional work and to identify progress toward required learning outcomes. Located in the first year of the program, this theory unit includes significant face-to-face teaching hours to assist students in linking midwifery theory with practice. Learner-centred resource sessions are utilised to convey content and central principles while tutorials/workshops deliver interactive learning sessions. These sessions include formative feedback to build foundational tertiary study skills while also providing an opportunity to establish group-work and community learning skills.
Group learning activities are utilised to convey content and central principles and interactive tutorial sessions assist students to apply theory to clinical practice and build self-reflection skills.
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS UNIT
Attendance at all lectures, practical classes and simulations is expected. Attendance records of all tutorial classes are maintained with a minimum of 80% attendance required for this unit.
NMBA Midwife Standards for Practice
NMBA (2018) Midwife Standards for Practice developed in this unit are: