92632 Midwifery Practice 1: Preparation for Practice

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2023 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Health
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Pass fail, no marks

There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

This subject contributes to the overall course by preparing students for initial midwifery practice. Students focus on learning clinical skills related to midwifery practice including observations, palpation, percussion, auscultation, urinalysis and psychosocial assessments. Students are prepared for entry to the practice environment including professional responsibilities and conduct, occupational health and safety, the requirements for clinical practice, and completion of professional portfolios. Students are expected to provide midwifery care (under the direct supervision of a midwife) based on the clinical decision-making of others.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

A.	Conduct a physical and mental health assessment of a childbearing woman and relate the findings of the assessments to normal ranges (NMBA 4.1, 5.2)
B.	Conduct an assessment of a newborn baby and relate the findings of the assessments to normal ranges (NMBA 5.2)
C.	Recognise and report deviations from normal ranges (NMBA 6.1)
D.	Document and report findings from assessments (NMBA 1.3, 2.1)
E.	Demonstrate appropriate communication skills when interacting with women and their newborn babies during the processes of assessment (NMBA 3.1, 8.1)
F.	Provide midwifery care (under the direct supervision of a midwife) based on the clinical decision making of others and meet the appropriate competencies (NMBA 4.3)
G.	Demonstrate appropriate proficiency in maths calculations (NMBA 5.5)

Teaching and learning strategies

Learning and Teaching Strategies
In this subject, you will participate in a range of teaching and learning strategies that are designed to encourage you to engage with contemporary, evidence-based midwifery care and practice.

Online learning activities
Students access online learning resources including podcasts, videos, online discussion boards either prior to or in place of face-to-face attendance. Online resources enable students to clarify complex concepts and terminology and engage with sensitive or confronting topics at their own pace. Online activities are then discussed in class to share learning, experiences and reflections.

Face-to-face classes
Face to face lectures, tutorials and group work activities are provided to enable students to clarify, discuss and develop subject concepts.

Clinical skills, communication, and simulation
Students will participate in the simulated practice of clinical skills used in midwifery practice, including supporting women in labour, the safe administration of medications and competency in drug calculations. Students will also participate in the introductory interpretation of fetal welfare assessments through simulation and class discussion. Students learn and practice clinical and interpersonal skills with case scenarios in the classroom. These practice scenarios incorporate the development of professional communication skills including consultation and referral to medical colleagues.

Readiness for practice will be assessed through a care plan and a reflection on clinical experience using the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) competency standards for the midwife. Students must also successfully complete the required period of clinical practice as part of this subject and submit their professional experience portfolio for assessment at the end of the session.

Case studies and stories from practice
Case studies and stories from practice depict people and their families in clinical, community and social situations. Students use these scenarios to learn concepts, interpret information and develop creative solutions. Critical thinking is developed through analysis, interpretation of and reflection on issues or situations.

Seminars and oral presentations
Seminars involve students either individually or in groups providing presentations to the class. Students receive feedback from peers and lecturers not only on their knowledge of a subject area but also their ability to communicate their thoughts and relevant information in a clear, coherent and confident manner.

Professional ePortfolio
Students begin to develop their professional ePortfolio. This online record encourages students to take an active role in the documentation, observation and review of their own progress. It is a powerful tool for focusing awareness or attention on what has been learned throughout the course, self-assessment and the development of a professional identity.

Clinical placement
Students complete 48 hours of clinical placement experience in a maternity unit, to develop and consolidate their knowledge, skills and attributes relevant to the care of women and babies. Students provide midwifery care to women, babies, and their families, under the direct supervision of registered midwives and medical practitioners.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Medication administration assessment

Intent:	The intent of this assessment is to develop students competence regarding the safe administration of medications to women and babies in their care.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): G This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): .0
Weight:	Mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark

Intent:

The intent of this assessment is to develop students competence regarding the safe administration of medications to women and babies in their care.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s):

Weight:

Mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark

Assessment task 2: OSCE: Objective Structured Clinical Examination

Intent:	The intent of this assessment is to prepare students for their first clinical placement and to assess the clinical knowledge and skills learnt in session 1.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C, D, E and F This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): .0 and .0
Weight:	Mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark

Intent:

The intent of this assessment is to prepare students for their first clinical placement and to assess the clinical knowledge and skills learnt in session 1.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

A, B, C, D, E and F

This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s):

.0 and .0

Weight:

Mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark

Assessment task 3: Professional Experience Placement (PEP) Portfolio

Intent:	In keeping with the ANMAC Accreditation Standards for the Midwife (2014) students must keep a written record and reflect on their required supervised midwifery practice experiences in their Professional Experience Placement (PEP) Portfolio.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C, D, E and F This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): .0 and .0
Weight:	Mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark

Intent:

In keeping with the ANMAC Accreditation Standards for the Midwife (2014) students must keep a written record and reflect on their required supervised midwifery practice experiences in their Professional Experience Placement (PEP) Portfolio.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

A, B, C, D, E and F

This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s):

.0 and .0

Weight:

Mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark

Assessment task 4: Midwifery Practice Performance Summary

Intent:	The intent is to assess the student's performance on clinical placement against the National Competency Standards for the Midwife (NMBA 2006) according to their year of study and to provide them with feedback on their clinical and professional development.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C, D, E, F and G This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): .0 and .0
Weight:	Mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark

Intent:

The intent is to assess the student's performance on clinical placement against the National Competency Standards for the Midwife (NMBA 2006) according to their year of study and to provide them with feedback on their clinical and professional development.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

A, B, C, D, E, F and G

This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s):

.0 and .0

Weight:

Mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark

Required texts

Catling, C., Cummins, A. & Hogan, R. 2016, Stories in Midwifery: Reflection, action, enquiry, Elsevier, Sydney.

Gray, J. & Smith, R. 2009, Midwifery essentials, Elsevier, Sydney.

Gray, J., Smith, R. & Homer, C. 2009, Illustrated dictionary of midwifery, Australian and New Zealand edn, Elsevier, Sydney.

Johnson, R. & Taylor, W. 2010, Skills for midwifery practice, 3rd edn, Elsevier, Sydney.

Marshall, J. & Raynor, M. (eds), 2014, Myles Textbook for Midwives, 16th edn, Elsevier, Sydney.

Pairman, S. Pincombe, J., Thorogood, C. & Tracy, S. 2015, Midwifery: Preparation for practice, Churchill Livingstone, Sydney.

Walsh, D. 2011, Evidence-based care for normal labour and birth, 2nd edn, Routledge, New York.

Waugh, A. & Grant, A. 2014, Ross and Wilson Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness, 12th edn, Churchill Livingstone, Sydney.

Other resources

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UTS Library
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Improve your academic and English language skills
Marks for all assessment tasks such as assignments and examinations are given not only for what you write but also for how you write. If you would like the opportunity to improve your academic and English language skills, make an appointment with the HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support) Service in Student Services.

HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support)
HELPS provides assistance with English language proficiency and academic language. Students who need to develop their written and/or spoken English should make use of the free services offered by HELPS, including academic language workshops, vacation intensive courses, drop-in consultations, individual appointments and Conversations@UTS (www.ssu.uts.edu.au/helps). HELPS staff are also available for drop-in consultations at the UTS Library. Phone (02) 9514 9733

Please see www.uts.edu.au for additional information on other resources provided to students by UTS.