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Unit of Study MIDW1003 - Foundations of Midwifery (2024)

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Unit Snapshot

  • Unit type

    UG Coursework Unit

  • Credit points

    12

  • Faculty/College

    Faculty of Health

  • Placement

    No

  • Enrolment information

    N/A

Unit description

Introduces students to an overview of their program of study. The history of midwifery, contemporary midwifery practice issues and the philosophical underpinnings and primary health care philosophies aligned with midwifery are discussed. The politics of health systems, professional regulation, and legal and ethical issues are examined, and the influence of feminism on women and midwifery in society are explored. The foundational skills required for entry to the healthcare environment, including principles of work health and safety, communication and reflection on practice are introduced.

Unit content

  1. History of health provision from an Australian and global perspective
  2. Historical context of health
  3. Midwifery in society - The history of midwifery
  4. Midwifery professional regulation
  5. Legal and ethical considerations in the maternity care context
  6. Providing quality, safe and culturally appropriate midwifery practice

 

Availabilities

Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term2
Term2
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

discuss the history of Australia’s health care system, and how the history of midwifery in Australia, impacts contemporary midwifery care

define the principles and philosophy of contemporary midwifery from a feminist perspective

apply legal, ethical theories and legal principles to discussions on common dilemmas in practice, women's rights, and health care practice

discuss midwifery as a public health strategy that improves maternal health outcomes, and quality and safety

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts
  • McDonald, F. J., & Then, S-N., 2019, Ethics, law and health care: a guide for nurses and midwives, 2nd edn, Red Globe Press, London UK. ISBN: 9781352005394.
  • Pairman, Sally. & Tracy, Sally. & Dahlen, Hannah G. & Dixon, Lesley. , 2019, Midwifery: preparation for practice, 4th edn, Elsevier, Chatswood, NSW. ISBN: 9780729542678.
Prescribed Resources/Equipment
  • No prescribed resources/equipment.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.