MW7057 Midwifery Practice 7 (5 ECTS)

Learning Outcomes

Following completion of this module the student should be able to:

• Demonstrate competence and confidence in core midwifery practice skills;
  
• Recognise the need for further learning, refinement and development of core skills;
  
• Demonstrate knowledge of national policies and procedures and place these alongside best practices, research and evidence;
  
• Demonstrate decision making skills in relation to midwifery practice and care;
  
• Demonstrate the ability to provide women with accurate information tailored to their individual needs;
  
• Demonstrate the ability to impart knowledge to women and their families on an individual basis using a reasoned range of strategies;
  
• Display the ability to make decisions regarding midwifery care and practice;
  
• Display the ability to make midwifery and management judgements regarding woman's needs;
  
• Display the ability to provide or source appropriate support for women when needs are out with the parameters of the midwife;
  
• Demonstrate the ability to meet the needs of women with special needs;
  
• Demonstrate the ability to maintain accurate and contemporaneous records;
  
• At all times, demonstrate the ability to address all aspects relating to the storage and administration of medications in practice;
  
• Demonstrate the ability to confidently and accurately recognise physiological processes;
  
• Demonstrate the ability to confidently and accurately recognise deviations from physiological processes;
  
• Display decision making skills in relation to differential diagnoses;
  
• Demonstrate the ability to access timely and appropriate referral when deviations are diagnosed;
  
• Demonstrate the ability to respond appropriately in emergency and crisis situations;
  
• Demonstrate the ability to participate in emergency and crisis situations in a professional manner;
  
• Demonstrate appropriate skills and actions in emergency and crisis situations;
  
• Demonstrate an understanding of the factors that influence the regulation of the midwife profession;
  
• Demonstrate an awareness of caseload/workload organisation and management and the process of prioritisation;
  
• Demonstrate the ability to use evidence and research to inform practice whilst remaining cognisant of the existence of national and local policies;
  
• Demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others as a valuable team member;
  
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively with others in all aspects of midwifery care and practice;
  
• Demonstrate an awareness of the importance of midwifery research in the Irish context;
  
• At all times, demonstrate a consciousness of the health and safety needs of women, babies and families; their own health and safety and that of all other professionals;
  
• Displays an approach to practice that conveys the attributes of warmth and empathy;
  
• Displays respect for women and a genuine interest in the welfare of women.

Following completion of this practice placement (elective), midwifery students will be able to:

• Identify, plan and organise (and later evaluate) own elective placement;
  
• Gain a sense of independence and control over an aspect the education as well as enhancing organisational skills and personal development.
  

Module Learning Aims

For organisational purposes, this 6 week period of midwifery practice is made up of a six week
placement in the intranatal area and one weeks elective placement.

During the months of this education programme and practising as supervised team members, the
practice exposure and experiences that students receive will engender in them a level of confidence and
competence which will serve to consolidate previous learning and facilitate the development of reasoned
decision making skills in a safe supervised environment. The knowledge and skills required for achieving
accurate diagnosis and differential diagnoses will increase and develop to a level of assured accuracy
and security in their practice.

The overall aim of an elective placement is to permit students to identify an area/issue related to
midwifery and deepen their knowledge and understanding of this self-selected area/issue. An elective
placement will give students the time and the opportunity to pursue an area that would otherwise not be
explored in depth during their midwifery education. Organising and achieving an elective placement is
also expected to aid students in achieving a sense of independence and control over an aspect of their
education as well as enhancing their organisational skills and personal development.

Recommended Reading List

Indicative Resources

• An Bord Altranais (2000) Scope of Nursing and Midwifery Practice Framework. An Bord Altranais, Dublin.
  
• An Bord Altranais (2007) Guidance to Nurses and Midwives on Medication Management. An Bord Altranais, Dublin.
  
• An Bord Altranais (2010) Practice Standards for Midwives. An Bord Altranais, Dublin.
  
• Chapman, V., (ed.) (2003) The midwife's labour and birth handbook. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford.
  
• Fraser D.M. and Cooper M.A.,(eds.) (2009) Myles Textbook for Midwives, 15th edn. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh.
  
• Henderson C. and MacDonald S. (eds.) (2004) Mayes' Midwifery: A Textbook for Midwives, 13th edn. Bailliere Tindall, London.
  
• Kirkham, M., (ed.) (2004) Informed Choice in Maternity Care. Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke.
  
• Raynor M., Marshall J. and Sullivan, A., (eds.) (2005) Decision Making in Midwifery Practice. Churchill Livingstone, London.
  

* Additional readings will be given for each unit of learning.