School: Nursing and Midwifery

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Foundations of Midwifery
  • Unit Code

    MIT6102
  • Year

    2021
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    3
  • Credit Points

    20
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    A/Prof Michelle GRAY

Description

This unit introduces students to the midwifery profession, its governing principles, laws, standards and processes, and the theoretical foundations of midwifery practice. Students adopt an Inquiry Based Learning approach to explore, analyse and demonstrate understanding of the concepts that underpin midwifery.

Non Standard Timetable Requirements

Refer to the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Master of Midwifery Clincal Calender

Co-Requisite Rule

Must be enrolled in course version I80

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Evaluate the historical, social, philosophical, political, economic, legal, ethical, professional and organisational influences on midwifery in national and international contexts.
  2. Critique how the range of influences on midwifery shapes the development of a framework for maternity care and midwifery practice.
  3. Reflect upon the impact of the range of influences on midwifery care delivery and the maternity care needs of women with diverse backgrounds.
  4. Explore effective informed care provision within the partnership between the midwife and the childbearing woman and her family.

Unit Content

  1. The history, unique identity and philosophy of midwifery and its establishment as a profession.
  2. Midwifery and the law in Australia.
  3. Professional and legal frameworks for midwifery practice (state and federal health and maternity care legislation, Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia practice and ethics standards and codes, Australian College of Midwives values, and International Confederation of Midwives global standards).
  4. Legislation relevant to Australian midwifery accreditation, midwifery practice, child protection, and family violence.
  5. Professional regulation of midwifery practice and conduct in Australia.
  6. Social, political, economic and organisational influence on maternity care: current issues and debates.
  7. National and international perspectives on on childbearing women's health: the impact of ethnicity, poverty and maternity care provision.
  8. Models of maternity care and the midwife's role within each: midwifery as primary care.
  9. Empowerment, woman-centred midwifery, and partnership models of care.
  10. Woman-centred maternity care: physiological, psychological, social, cultural and spiritual considerations.
  11. Culturally-appropriate midwifery care of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
  12. Introduction to reproductive anatomy and physiology.
  13. Overview of the use and evaluation of evidence to inform midwifery practice.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECUs LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 113 x 8.5 hour tutorialNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECUs LMS as well as additional ECU l

Additional Learning Experience Information

Students will undertake a variety of learning activities. The students will also be expected to undertake Continuity of Care Experiences. Plus 48 hours professional clinical practice experience.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities and/or online activities including discussion boards is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Portfolio ^Successful completion of the clinical placement and CCE experiences (evidenced in the PebblePad e portfolio) and a personal midwifery philosophy35%
Reflective PracticeReflection of woman centred care related to clinical practice experiences and midwifery standards25%
PosterPoster and video presentation 40%

^ Mandatory to Pass

Core Reading(s)

  • Pairman, S., Tracy, S., Dahlen, H. G., & Dixon, L. (2019). S. Pairman, S. Tracy, H. G. Dahlen, & L. Dixon (Eds.), Midwifery : preparation for practice (4ed ed.). Chatswood, NSW: Elsevier Australia. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1080349630

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

MIT6102|3|1

School: Nursing and Midwifery

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Foundations of Midwifery
  • Unit Code

    MIT6102
  • Year

    2021
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    3
  • Credit Points

    20
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    A/Prof Michelle GRAY

Description

This unit introduces students to the midwifery profession, its governing principles, laws, standards and processes, and the theoretical foundations of midwifery practice. Students adopt an Inquiry Based Learning approach to explore, analyse and demonstrate understanding of the concepts that underpin midwifery.

Non Standard Timetable Requirements

Refer to the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Master of Midwifery Clincal Calender

Co-Requisite Rule

Must be enrolled in course version I80

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Evaluate the historical, social, philosophical, political, economic, legal, ethical, professional and organisational influences on midwifery in national and international contexts.
  2. Critique how the range of influences on midwifery shapes the development of a framework for maternity care and midwifery practice.
  3. Reflect upon the impact of the range of influences on midwifery care delivery and the maternity care needs of women with diverse backgrounds.
  4. Explore effective informed care provision within the partnership between the midwife and the childbearing woman and her family.

Unit Content

  1. The history, unique identity and philosophy of midwifery and its establishment as a profession.
  2. Midwifery and the law in Australia.
  3. Professional and legal frameworks for midwifery practice (state and federal health and maternity care legislation, Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia practice and ethics standards and codes, Australian College of Midwives values, and International Confederation of Midwives global standards).
  4. Legislation relevant to Australian midwifery accreditation, midwifery practice, child protection, and family violence.
  5. Professional regulation of midwifery practice and conduct in Australia.
  6. Social, political, economic and organisational influence on maternity care: current issues and debates.
  7. National and international perspectives on on childbearing women's health: the impact of ethnicity, poverty and maternity care provision.
  8. Models of maternity care and the midwife's role within each: midwifery as primary care.
  9. Empowerment, woman-centred midwifery, and partnership models of care.
  10. Woman-centred maternity care: physiological, psychological, social, cultural and spiritual considerations.
  11. Culturally-appropriate midwifery care of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
  12. Introduction to reproductive anatomy and physiology.
  13. Overview of the use and evaluation of evidence to inform midwifery practice.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECUs LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 113 x 8.5 hour tutorialNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECUs LMS as well as additional ECU l

Additional Learning Experience Information

Students will undertake a variety of learning activities. The students will also be expected to undertake Continuity of Care Experiences. Plus 48 hours professional clinical practice experience.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities and/or online activities including discussion boards is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Portfolio ^Successful completion of the clinical placement and CCE experiences (evidenced in the PebblePad e portfolio) and a personal midwifery philosophy35%
Reflective PracticeReflection of woman centred care related to clinical practice experiences and midwifery standards25%
PosterPoster and video presentation 40%

^ Mandatory to Pass

Core Reading(s)

  • Pairman, S., Tracy, S., Dahlen, H. G., & Dixon, L. (2019). S. Pairman, S. Tracy, H. G. Dahlen, & L. Dixon (Eds.), Midwifery : preparation for practice (4ed ed.). Chatswood, NSW: Elsevier Australia. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1080349630

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

MIT6102|3|2