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Course Outline

MID706 Midwifery care across the continuum 1

Course Coordinator:Holly Meyer (hmeyer@usc.edu.au) School:School of Health - Midwifery

2027Trimester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

In this course you develop foundational midwifery knowledge and skills. This will encompass, pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic approaches during normal pregnancy, birth, and the puerperium. You will undertake supervised clinical experiences across the maternity care continuum. Your facilitator will evaluate your work at an introductory student level against the NMBA Midwife Standards for Practice. In addition, you will work towards meeting the required midwifery practice experiences for the program and your Continuity of Care experiences (CONNECT).

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Laboratory 1 – On campus one week intensive. 35hrs Week 1 Once Only
Learning materials – Online asynchronous learning and teaching materials and options for lecturer and peer to peer collaborations, and lecturer and peer zoom drop ins. 3hrs Week 2 11 times
Placement – Clinical Placement. 160hrs Week 2 Once Only

Course Topics

  • Pre-conceptual care.
  • Normal physiology and midwifery care across the childbearing continuum within a multidisciplinary team.
  • Pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic approaches across the childbearing continuum.
  • Digital health, critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and decision-making, and reflection.

Mature Content

Adult themes

What level is this course?

700 Level (Specialised)

Demonstrating a specialised body of knowledge and set of skills for professional practice or further learning. Advanced application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... Professional Standard Mapping * Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia
1 Explore digital health and emerging technologies in midwifery care across the childbearing continuum. Knowledgeable 
1.2, 1.3, 1.6, 1.7, 2.2, 2.3, 3.2, 3.6, 4.4, 6.1, 7.3
2 Analyse evidence-informed midwifery care considering psychosocial, physiological, and cultural factors across the childbearing continuum. Engaged 
1.1, 1.2, 1.6, 1.7, 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.8, 3.5, 4.1, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 6.3, 7.2
3 Critically appraise advanced pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic approaches across the childbearing continuum. Creative and critical thinker 
1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.3, 4.4, 5.1, 6.2, 7.2
4 Critically reflect on midwifery practice to enhance continuity of care experiences. Ethical 
1.1, 1.2, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 5.1, 6.4, 7.3
5 Demonstrate a satisfactory level of progression towards the ANMAC Midwifery Professional Experience (MPE) requirements and hours for the course. Engaged 
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
6 Apply principles and practice of academic writing, referencing and research. Knowledgeable 
1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 3.3, 7.3

* Competencies by Professional Body

CODE COMPETENCY
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia
1 Standard 1: Promotes health and wellbeing through evidence-based midwifery practice
1.1 The midwife identifies what is important to women as the foundation for using evidence to promote informed decision-making, participation in care, and self-determination
1.2 The midwife accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings, for safe, quality midwifery practice
1.3 The midwife uses health assessment and health education to support birth and reproductive health, and minimise the potential for complications
1.4 The midwife undertakes ongoing processes of reflection to ensure professional judgements acknowledge how personal culture impacts on practice
1.6 The midwife supports the development, implementation and evaluation of evidenced-based health initiatives and programs
1.7 The midwife identifies and promotes the role of midwifery practice and the midwifery profession in influencing better health outcomes for women
2 Standard 2: Engages in professional relationships and respectful partnerships
2.1 The midwife supports the choices of the woman, with respect for families and communities in relation to maternity care
2.2 The midwife partners with women to strengthen women’s capabilities and confidence to care for themselves and their families
2.3 The midwife practises ethically, with respect for dignity, privacy, confidentiality, equity and justice
2.4 The midwife practises without the discrimination that may be associated with race, age, disability, sexuality, gender identity, relationship status, power relations and/or social disadvantage
2.5 The midwife practises cultural safety that is holistic, free of bias and exposes racism
2.6 The midwife practises in a way that respects that family and community underpin the health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples
2.8 The midwife participates in and/or leads collaborative practice
3 Standard 3: Demonstrates the capability and accountability for midwifery practice
3.1 The midwife understands their scope of practice
3.2 The midwife practises within relevant legal parameters and professional standards, codes and guidelines
3.3 The midwife participates in own continuing professional development to maintain the required knowledge and skill base for safe and effective practice
3.5 The midwife engages in timely consultation, referral and documentation
3.6 The midwife uses relevant processes to identify, document and manage complexity and risk
4 Standard 4: Undertakes comprehensive assessments
4.1 The midwife works in partnership to determine factors that affect, or potentially affect, the health and wellbeing of women, communities and populations
4.3 The midwife analyses information and data and communicates assessments and anticipated outcomes as the basis for midwifery practice
4.4 The midwife assesses the resources that are available to inform planning
5 Standard 5: Develops a plan for midwifery practice
5.1 The midwife interprets assessment data and best available evidence to develop a plan for practice
5.2 The midwife collaboratively develops plans until options, priorities, goals, actions, anticipated outcomes and timeframes are agreed with the woman, and/or relevant others
6 Standard 6: Provides safety and quality in midwifery practice
6.1 The midwife actively contributes to quality improvement and research activities
6.2 The midwife practises to achieve the agreed goals and anticipated outcomes that meet the needs of the woman
6.3 The midwife is responsible for consultation and referral and/ or escalation in situations that are outside the individual’s scope of practice
6.4 The midwife provides and accepts effective and timely direction, allocation, delegation, teaching and supervision
7 Standard 7: Evaluates outcomes to improve midwifery practice
7.2 The midwife revises plan and actions based on evidence and what is learned from evaluation
7.3 The midwife uses evaluation and reflection to inform future practice and professional development

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Enrolled in GD007

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Limited Grading (PNP)

Pass (PU), Fail (UF). All assessment tasks are required to be passed for successful completion of the course.

Details of early feedback on progress

Early feedback will be provided by the clinical facilitator when completing the Progressive component of the Clinical Assessment Tool. This feedback includes assessment of your competency in all standards. The facilitator will discuss the deliberations with you and you will have the opportunity to provide comment on the tool during both the Progressive and Summative components.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Practical / Laboratory Skills Individual 
10-15 minutes
 Week 1 In Class
All 2 Written Piece Individual 
1500 words.
 Week 10 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3a Portfolio Individual 
N/A
 Refer to Format SONIA
All 3b Placement performance Individual 
160 hours.
 Refer to Format SONIA
All - Assessment Task 1:Objective Structured Clinical Assessment (OSCA)
Goal: 
To demonstrate knowledge and skills application to clinical scenario.
Product: Practical / Laboratory Skills
Format: 
Further details provided on Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Discuss the evidence and relevance of the use of digital health and emerging technologies as it relates to the scenario.
 1
2 
Critical appraisal of pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic approaches across the childbearing continuum.
 3
3 
Demonstrates satisfactory midwifery knowledge, behaviours, and skills.
 4
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Applying technologies
All - Assessment Task 2:Reflection
Goal: 
This assignment provides the opportunity to engage in reflection.
Product: Written Piece
Format: 
Further details provided on Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Analyses midwifery care considering psychological, physiological and cultural factors during the antenatal period.
 2
2 
Critically reflect on recruitment or antenatal care during a continuity of care experience using a reflective model.
 4
3 
Use of relevant scholarly literature and ethical use of intellectual property. APA 7 is applied.
 6
4 
Application of the principles and practices of academic written expression.
 6
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3a:ANMAC Midwifery Practice Experience (MPE) and CSATs and CoCE
Goal: 
Evidence of progress towards your achievement of the requirements for ANMAC Midwife Accreditation Standard 3: Program of study and to demonstrate requisite knowledge and safe midwifery practice.
Product: Portfolio
Format: 
Further details provided on Canvas
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Evidence of recruitment of 4 women (recommended) for Continuity of Care Experiences (CONNECT).
 5
2 
Completion of 40-60 MPEs (recommended) that meet the requirements for ANMAC Midwife Accreditation Standard 3: Program of Study.
 5
3 
Demonstrates satisfactory midwifery knowledge, behaviours, and skills for recommended maximum number of 2 CSATs (see Canvas).
 5
4 
Demonstrate appropriate written expression
 6
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Problem solving
All - Assessment Task 3b:Clinical Assessment Tool
Goal: 
To demonstrate completion of allocated placement for this course and satisfactory competency based on the Practice Standards for Registered Midwives at an introductory level and as measured in the Clinical Assessment Tool. All marking criteria must be passed in order to pass this course.
Product: Placement performance
Format: 
Further details provided on Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Practice behaviours as measured against NMBA Midwife Standards for Practice and as detailed in the assessment tool.
 4 5
2 
Evidence of adherence to Code of Professional Conduct and Code of Ethics criteria and standards.
 5
3 
Completion of a minimum 160 hours of placement.
 5
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Organisation, Applying technologies

Assessment to competency mapping

Programme Delivery Mode Assessment Type Title Competency Teaching Methods
Midwife standards for practice - 1 October 2018
All delivery modes Placement performance Clinical Assessment Tool 1.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
1.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
1.3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
1.4 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
1.5 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
1.6 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
1.7 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.4 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.5 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.6 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.7 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.8 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3.3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3.4 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3.5 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3.6 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3.7 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3.8 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
4.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
4.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
4.3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
4.4 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
5.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
5.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
5.3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
5.4 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
6.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
6.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
6.3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
6.4 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
7.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
7.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
7.3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
Portfolio ANMAC Midwifery Practice Experience (MPE) and CSATs and CoCE 1.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
1.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
1.3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
1.4 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
1.5 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
1.6 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
1.7 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.4 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.5 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.6 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.7 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.8 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3.3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3.4 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3.5 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3.6 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3.7 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3.8 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
4.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
4.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
4.3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
4.4 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
5.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
5.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
5.3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
5.4 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
6.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
6.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
6.3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
6.4 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
7.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
7.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
7.3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
Practical / Laboratory Skills Objective Structured Clinical Assessment (OSCA) 1.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
1.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
1.3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
1.6 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
1.7 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3.3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3.6 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
4.3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
4.4 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
5.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
6.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
6.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
6.4 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
7.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
7.3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
Written Piece Reflection 1.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
1.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
1.4 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
1.6 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
1.7 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.4 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.5 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.6 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.8 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3.3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3.5 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
4.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
4.3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
5.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
5.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
6.3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
6.4 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
7.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
7.3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required Sally Pairman,Sally K. Tracy,Hannah Dahlen,Lesley Dixon,Priscilla Peart,Bernadette Pulis 2026 Midwifery Preparation for Practice 5 Elsevier
Required Sara Bayes,Sally De-Vitry Smith 2022 SKILLS FOR MIDWIFERY PRACTICE AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND EDITION. 2e n/a
Required Roslyn Donnellan - Fernandez,Maryam Bazargan,Clare Davison,Michelle Gray,Kirsten Small 2024 Pharmacology in Midwifery n/a Elsevier
Recommended Elaine Jefford,Julie Jomeen 2019 Empowering Decision-Making in Midwifery 1 Routledge

Specific requirements

Your clinical placement may have specific requirements, and information will be provided during your placement orientation. UniSC uniform as outlined on Canvas is to be worn on all placements.

How are risks managed in this course?

Risk assessments have been performed for all studio and laboratory classes and a low level of health and safety risk exists. Some risk concerns may include equipment, instruments, and tools; as well as manual handling items within the laboratory. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

This course will be graded as Pass in a Limited Grade Course (PU) or Fail in a Limited Grade Course (UF) as per clause 5.1.1.3 and 5.1.1.4 of the Grades and Grade Point Average (GPA) - Academic Policy.
In a course eligible to use Limited Grades, all assessment items in that course are marked on a Pass/Fail basis and all assessment tasks are required to be passed for a student to successfully complete the course. Supplementary assessment is not available in courses using Limited Grades.

Assessment: Submission penalties

You must contact your Course Coordinator and provide the required documentation if you require an extension or alternate assessment.
Refer to the Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs – Procedures.

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au
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