MID4001 - Preparation for practice (midwifery) - 2019

This unit focuses on the interplay between the socio-political issues that pervade the clinical arena of midwifery and population health consideration. These include for example how economic and class factors impact on vulnerable populations who are pregnant or giving birth. It facilitates the student to a greater understanding of vulnerability in childbearing women. The unit also includes issues such as violence within the family, child abuse, sexual assault drug abuse and associated pathologies. The special needs of Indigenous women and their families will be addressed. Additionally, the birthing needs of refugees and asylum seekers and their families will be explored. The emphasis of the unit will be grounded in the philosophy of adult learning encouraging the student to be self-directed in the identification of their learning needs.

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Identify common vulnerabilities within society and how these impact on childbearing women;
2. Interpret the incidence, prevalence and clinical relevance of population health information presented in health research publications;
3. Develop a range of problem solving, decision-making and time management strategies that enhance the organisation of clinical midwifery care to vulnerable groups of childbearing women;
4. Incorporate and evaluate ethically and culturally relevant midwifery interventions for vulnerable women across the birthing journey including cultural identity and racism;
5. Critically reflect on their own actions in the professional partnership role with vulnerable women and on the nature of midwifery practice in relation to clients' health situations;
6. Develop strategies of leadership, management, teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration in the provision of quality midwifery care when being with vulnerable women, and
7. Demonstrate beginning level competency based upon the Nursing and Midwifery (NMBA) 'Midwifery Standards for Practice'.

Clinical placement: 80 hours.

• Poster: abstract and presentation (1,500 words) (30%)
• Reflective essay (2,000 words) (35%)
• Critical analysis (2,500 words) (35%)
• Clinical practice (Clinical hurdles) (Pass / Fail)

Lectures 2 hours/week and tutes 2 hours/week x 6 weeks (12 hours lectures, 12 hours tutes) and clinical placement 80 hours.

See also Unit timetable information

Nursing and midwifery