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• Undergraduate study:
• Courses
• Order a prospectus
• How to apply
• Information for applicants
• Why choose Kingston University
• Disability and mental health support
• Accommodation
• Undergraduate fees
• Fees, funding and payments
• Access, participation and inclusion

The Midwife as a Professional

• Module code: MW6007
• Year: 2018/9
• Level: 6
• Credits: 30
• Pre-requisites: Year 2 modules
• Co-requisites: None

Summary

This module aims to prepare you for autonomous practice. Key aspects will include working with other professional groups, understanding professional regulation and local and national governance to promote safe midwifery practice. This will help support you in the transition from student to accountable, autonomous practitioner.

Aims

• Develop as an accountable and autonomous practitioner and fit for employment at the point of registration.
• Evaluate professional and ethical frameworks for midwifery practice.
• Examine the contribution of midwifery to maternity care provision locally, nationally and internationally and its impact upon the health and wellbeing of mothers and babies.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

• Critically review the lead professional role of the midwife in the provision of care
• Analyse and evaluate the factors that may influence autonomous practice and advocacy
• Critically evaluate the need for collaborative maternity care with mothers, professionals and voluntary organisations working towards quality care for mothers and babies
• Critically discuss the regulation of midwifery practice from local, regional and national perspectives
• Review and discuss maternity care provision in local, regional and national contexts
• Recognise the importance of the requirement for lifelong learning to ensure proficient and contemporaneous practice

Curriculum content

• Regulation of midwifery, Legal and professional issues
• Maintaining professional competence and fitness to practice Inter-professional working looking at challenges in practice and effective team working
• Strategies for ensuring effective communication
• Refection and reflexivity in practice
• Self awareness and assertiveness
• Emotional intelligence and promoting confidence
• Midwives contribution to safe and effective birth, locally and nationally
• Governance and national and local drivers
• Organisational culture

Teaching and learning strategy

A variety of teaching and learning strategies will be utilised within this module. The use of lead lectures, time for directed reading and reflection on case load will enable students to explore topics in depth. The VLE will be used to support the teaching and learning, relevant materials will be available within the module including power point presentations and other E-learning materials.

• Lecture / discussion
• Group work
• Case load
• Reflection, video
• Role play-booking
• Use of study space/e-learning
• Tutorials
• Clinical experience

Breakdown of Teaching and Learning Hours

Assessment strategy

Formative

Formative mock viva (15 minutes) enabling the student to consider this method of assessment

Summative

Summative assessment; Viva voce (25 minutes) with annotated reference list. This assessment reflects the RAF principles related to a capstone project. The viva is undertaken by a lecturer and a clinical midwife from the local NHS Trusts.

Mapping of Learning Outcomes to Assessment Strategy (Indicative)

Elements of Assessment

Achieving a pass

It is a requirement that the elements of assessment is passed in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.

Bibliography core texts

Downe, S. (20110 Essential midwifery practice: leadership, expertise and collaborative working. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.

Steen, M. (ed) (2012) Supporting women to give birth at home: a practical guide for midwives. London: Routledge.

Bibliography recommended reading

Griffith, R. (2010) Law and professional issues in midwifery. Exeter: Learning Matters

Local Supervising Authority Midwifery Officers National (UK) Forum. (2008) Modern supervision in action: a practical guide for midwives. London: NMC.

Midwifery 2020 (2010) Delivering Expectations. [Online] Available online. (Accessed 29 January 2013).