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92927 Evidence-Based Practice (Midwifery)

UTS: Nursing, Midwifery and Health: Nursing, Midwifery and Health
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level: Postgraduate

Result Type: Grade and marks

Handbook description

This subject aims to expand students' understanding of, and commitment to, the development of evidence-based midwifery practice. Students are given the opportunity to develop a broad understanding of quantitative approaches to midwifery research without becoming preoccupied with statistical analysis. Having completed the subject, students are able to evaluate research findings and extract their clinical relevance.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  1. discuss the role of evidence in midwifery practice and the advantages, disadvantages and constraints of evidence-based midwifery practice from the perspective of midwives, women and policy makers
  2. locate current research literature related to a specific topic
  3. evaluate the validity and reliability of the methods used in different studies
  4. extract the clinical relevance of published evidence for practice, take part in developing practice guidelines from relevant research findings and be able to discuss findings with women
  5. identify the role that midwives have in generating an evidence-based culture.

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject specifically addresses the following ANMC Competency Standards for the midwife:

  • Competency 3: Communicates information to facilitate decision-making by the woman
  • Competency 4: Promotes safe and effective midwifery care
  • Competency 5: Assesses, plans, provides and evaluates safe and effective midwifery care
  • Competency 12: Identifies personal beliefs and develops these in ways that enhance midwifery practice
  • Competency 14: Uses research to inform midwifery practice.

Content

Evidence-based practice is an important element of contemporary health care. Understanding what evidence is and how best it can be utilised is an important element of midwifery practice. This subject takes students through a number of topic areas relating to using evidence in practice. These include:

  • Evidence-based approaches to health care services
  • Benefits of evidence-based approaches
  • Research methods: design, sample, data collection and analysis
  • Evaluating the evidence presented in different methodologies
  • Using evidence in practice
  • Translating evidence to practice
  • Working with women and evidence.