Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin

Bachelor in Science in Midwifery Honours Degree programme

MW1101 -Foundation Skills for Midwifery Practice (15 ECTS)

Learning Outcomes

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

Communication and Therapeutic Use of Self

Begin to demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively with the woman and her family in a way which enhances a partnership approach to care;
Demonstrate the ability to use communication skills to develop effective professional relationships with peers and the multi disciplinary team;
Demonstrate an attitude to practice that conveys respect for persons;
Begin to demonstrate the ability to use effective communication to enhance the quality of the woman’s (and her family’s) experience of pregnancy and childbirth;
Demonstrate an increased self-awareness of their practice and communication skills and an ability to critically reflect on and evaluate these.

Safety in the Practice Environment

Demonstrate a confident and competent approach to infection control in their own practices;
At all time demonstrate a consciousness of health and safety of women and their families;
At all times demonstrate a consciousness and awareness of their own health and safety and that of all other professionals;
Discuss the processes of developing health and safety policies in maternity hospitals and in the wider community.

Assessment, Monitoring and Practice Skills

Demonstrate the ability to safely perform selected practice skills which will provide the foundation on which to build more comprehensive assessment, monitoring and practice skills, thus enabling safe and effective care of women and their babies;
Begin to demonstrate the ability to assess the needs of individual women, their babies and their families;
Recognise the limitations of their own knowledge and practice;
Demonstrate the knowledge and ability to access appropriate midwifery and medical assistance when confronted with anticipated and unanticipated events requiring emergency aid.

The Midwife and Midwifery Profession

Outline the activities of the midwife and relate these to national legislation;
Describe the activities of midwives in Ireland;
Outline the legislation that affects/influences midwifery practice in Ireland;
Outline the statutory body’s publications in relation to the role of the midwife in Ireland;
Outline any significant legislative changes that may alter the status of the midwife in Ireland.

Module Learning Aims

Foundation skills for midwifery practice introduces midwifery students to the profession and practice of
midwifery. Its focus is on acquiring the skills, knowledge and attaining the attitude and approach to
practice that permits them to give safe, effective midwifery care to women and their families. The focus is
on recognising the unique partnership between women and midwives, awareness of women’s individual
needs and beginning to develop an awareness of foundation skills, which are required to ensure that
practice is safe. This module will also introduce midwifery students to the profession of midwifery, its
philosophy and the factors that impact on the midwife: education, legislation, practice (and boundaries)
and historical issues.

The aim of this module is to enable midwifery students to acquire the knowledge, skills and approach to
midwifery practice to develop effective therapeutic relationships with women, to begin to work with
midwives and others providing care for women whilst maintaining the safety of women their babies and
themselves.

Useful Websites

* Further suggested readings/sources of knowledge may be provided.

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