Unit rationale, description and aim
This unit provides opportunities for students to integrate theoretical knowledge in simulation laboratories and experience the first of six units that include supervised clinical practice. Foundation midwifery practice skills will be developed and extended through scenario-based learning in the laboratory. Additionally, students will commence to participate in and learn from the Continuity of Care Experience (CCE). This unit is required by students to assist them to develop knowledge and skills regarding a woman-centred approach to care in midwifery.
The aim of this unit is to provide the foundations on which clinical assessments are based 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.
Relate legal and ethical frameworks, policies, and...
Learning Outcome 01
Apply knowledge of underlying anatomy and physiolo...
Learning Outcome 02
Apply a woman-centred approach and effective commu...
Learning Outcome 03
Demonstrate professional practice midwifery compet...
Learning Outcome 04
Reflect on their learning using a professional por...
Learning Outcome 05
Content
Topics will include:
Legal and professional practice
- Hand hygiene and lab safety, social media policy
- Documentation and use of health informatics and health technology
- Med+Safe medication calculations – introduction only (conversion and calculations, legal and ethical)
- Introduction to course requirements including Community Engagement (CE), clinical experience and the Continuity of Care Experience (CCE)
- Professional behavioural expectations
- Confidentiality and informed consent (align with codes, standards, local policy and legislation)
- Scope of practice
- Professional boundaries
- Assertive communication skills
Midwifery knowledge and practice
- Role of the midwife
- Autonomous midwifery practice
- Woman-centred care (practice of)
- Partnership with women (practice of)
- Relational continuity of care
- Beginning health assessment skills and documentation
- Health history taking
- Health education
- Psycho-social assessment
- Assessment of vital signs
- Abdominal examination
- Urinalysis
- Antenatal screening
- Professional interpersonal communication
- Interpersonal self-awareness
- Communication microskills
- Responding to difficult emotions (e.g. anger, sadness)
- Clinical reasoning
- Introduction to labour and birth care
- Introduction to postnatal care
Midwifery as primary health care
- Cultural safety
Reflective and ethical practice
- Evidence-based midwifery
- Reflective practice
Assessment strategy and rationale
A range of assessment procedures consistent with the University assessment requirements will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes. 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.
Assessment 1 (Hurdle): Completion of the hurdle task will demonstrate competence in safe medication administration and preparation for clinical placement (Students have unlimited attempts to complete prior to attending placement).
Assessment 2 (Hurdle): An Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) will provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate developed skills in the safety of a simulated environment (Students have a maximum of 2 attempts).
Assessment 3 (Hurdle): Development of a professional midwifery portfolio will allow the students to showcase their clinical learning experiences in a professional manner ensuring that documentation meets the professional legal requirements for practice experiences. (Students must submit within five days of completion of placement to submit documents and will have 2 attempts). ALL assessment components are required to be submitted AND marked as satisfactory to pass the unit. (Detailed information available in Canvas under Assignments and Assessment Information).
In order to pass the unit, students must demonstrate achievement of every unit learning outcome, pass hurdle tasks, and attend 100% of laboratory classes and stipulated hours of clinical placement.
As per the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council guidelines, only students who have demonstrated the requisite knowledge and skills required for safe practice are eligible for professional experience placement. In accordance with this, all students are required to satisfactorily complete an Objective Structured Clinical Examination and satisfy the attendance requirements.
Overview of assessments
Assessment Task 1: Medicine Calculations
Assessment Task 1: Medicine Calculations
Hurdle
Assessment Task 2: Objective Structured Clinical...
Assessment Task 2: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
This assessment task provides the opportunity for students to demonstrate that they are able to think critically and reflectively, demonstrate values, knowledge, skills and attitudes, appropriate to the discipline and/or profession, solve problems in a variety of settings, and work both autonomously and collaboratively.
Hurdle
Assessment Task 3: Professional Placement Docum...
Assessment Task 3: Professional Placement Documentation
Enables students to present their clinical experiences in a professional manner, inclusive of all unit requirements, ensuring that documentation meets the professional and legal requirements for practice.
Hurdle
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This first-year professional practice unit uses student-centred, active learning to build foundational knowledge and skills for midwifery practice. Modes of delivery combine self-paced online learning, real-time classes, supervised clinical practicum (80 hours), and diverse group learning activities, including scenario-based learning, skills demonstrations, simulation, the Continuity of Care Experience, story sharing and other Aboriginal ways of learning.
Mandatory Documentation for Professional Experience Placements.
All FHS students who undertake placements as part of their course must meet all mandatory State or Territory legal and industry policy pre-placement requirements. Students are required to collect and submit each compliance item to InPlace as directed by your individual dashboard and the set due dates as per the professional experience placement team. Further information related to mandatory requirements and submission of documentation can be found on the Work Integrated Learning site via the student portal.
Please note: Students cannot be allocated to professional practice experience placements until all documentation has been received. Failure to submit mandatory documentation within the designated timeframe will result in a Fail grade for the unit as per Academic Regulations section 8.
Additionally, in order to safely enjoy the opportunity of participating in classes in the Specialised Learning Environments (Science and Simulation Laboratories), individuals are required to complete a Mandatory Laboratory Safety Orientation prior to attending the first day of clinical skills laboratory.
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, LO2, LO3, LO4
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, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings, for safe, quality midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Uses health assessment and health education to support birth and reproductive health, and minimise the potential for complications
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Undertakes ongoing processes of reflection to ensure professional judgements acknowledge how personal culture impacts on practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Supports access to maternity care for the woman
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Supports the development, implementation and evaluation of evidenced-based health initiatives and programs, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Identifies and promotes the role of midwifery practice and the midwifery profession in influencing better health outcomes for women.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Engages in professional relationships and respectful partnerships
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Supports the choices of the woman, with respect for families and communities in relation to maternity care
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Partners with women to strengthen women’s capabilities and confidence to care for themselves and their families
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Practises ethically, with respect for dignity, privacy, confidentiality, equity and justice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Develops, maintains and concludes professional relationships in a way that differentiates the boundaries between professional and personal relationships, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Participates in and/or leads collaborative practice.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Demonstrates the capability and accountability for midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4, LO5
Relating to
Understands their scope of practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4, LO5
Relating to
Practises within relevant legal parameters and professional standards, codes and guidelines
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4, LO5
Relating to
Participates in own continuing professional development to maintain the required knowledge and skill base for safe and effective practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4, LO5
Relating to
Engages in timely consultation, referral and documentation
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4, LO5
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, LO3, LO4, LO5
Relating to
Undertakes comprehensive assessments
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4, LO5
Relating to
Works in partnership to determine factors that affect, or potentially affect, the health and wellbeing of women, communities and populations
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4, LO5
Relating to
Uses assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4, LO5
Relating to
Analyses information and data and communicates assessments and anticipated outcomes as the basis for midwifery practice, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4, LO5
Relating to
Assesses the resources that are available to inform planning.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4, LO5
Relating to
Develops a plan for midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Interprets assessment data and best available evidence to develop a plan for practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4
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 OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Documents, evaluates and modifies plans to facilitate the anticipated outcomes.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Provides safety and quality in midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4
Relating to
Practises to achieve the agreed goals and anticipated outcomes that meet the needs of the woman
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4
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 OutcomeLO3, LO4
Relating to
Provides and accepts effective and timely direction, allocation, delegation, teaching and supervision
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4
Relating to
Evaluates outcomes to improve midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO5
Relating to
Evaluates and monitors progress towards planned goals and anticipated outcomes
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO5
Relating to
Revises plan and actions based on evidence and what is learned from evaluation
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO5
Relating to
Uses evaluation and reflection to inform future practice and professional development
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO5