MAJO4300 Advanced Midwifery Care Course description

The course deals with the tradition, development and philosophy of midwifery. It focuses on midwifery concepts, models and theories and topics that highlight professional, ethical and legal dilemmas. One particular topic for discussion is how midwives have to relate to different dilemmas that arise when technology must be dealt with in a satisfactory manner at the same time as the values of care must be addressed. Health policy and health policy guidelines for midwifery are also discussed, as are cultural and global issues. These discussions are important in order to raise the students' awareness about how to preserve and develop the traditions of midwifery in an environment characterised by high technology and biomedicine.

The tradition, development and philosophy of midwifery are problematised and discussed from a philosophy and philosophy of science perspective.

In addition to the above-mentioned topics, the student will specialise further in and develop his/her knowledge of topics introduced in the course MAJO4000 Midwifery Care during Childbirth and Starting a Family 1. The course is taught over a period of three to four weeks towards the end of the second semester.

The student must have passed MAJO4000 Midwifery Care during Childbirth and Starting a Family 1.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The student:

• has thorough insight into the historical development of midwifery
• has advanced knowledge about midwifery concepts, theories and models
• has advanced knowledge about the phenomenon of childbirth seen from different perspectives
• has advanced knowledge about fetal monitoring
• has advanced theoretical and practical knowledge about pain during labour and pain relief
• has advanced knowledge about the development and fundamental needs of healthy and sick newborns
• has in-depth knowledge about childbirth and starting a family as psychosocial processes
• has advanced knowledge about the organisation and adaptation of intrapartum care and the consequences thereof for the further development of the midwifery discipline and functions
• has advanced knowledge about documentation requirements that apply to clinical midwifery
• is capable of analysing issues relating to midwifery on the basis of the distinctive nature of midwifery and the applicable ethical, legal and health policy guidelines
• is capable of analysing midwifery and midwifery practice in light of history, tradition and society's needs

Skills

The student:

• has specialised theoretical knowledge about midwifery skills in emergencies and critical situations
• is capable of analysing research and relating it to the knowledge base of midwifery skills
• is capable of analysing midwifery theories, models and interpretations and of working independently on theoretical and clinical issues

Competence

The student is capable of:

• analysing links between physical, psychosocial and cultural aspects and problematic developments in pregnancy, childbirth and starting a family
• applying his/her knowledge and skills to complex midwifery challenges
• contributing to new ideas in caring for women and families during the intrapartum and post-partum periods by applying the principles of evidence-based practice
• carrying out projects relating to women in childbirth and the post-partum period and the newborn baby and communicating the results using professional forms of communication
• communicating with fellow students and the teaching staff about issues relating to childbirth and starting a family

The work and teaching methods vary between lectures and study group activities.

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

An academic assignment of up to 2,000 words with an oral presentation on a given topic. The students will work in groups. The purpose of the assignment is for students to acquire in-depth knowledge of a particular topic and being able to analyse health-related challenges, and acquire skills in communicating about and discussing midwifery issues.

If a group fails or one or more students in the group are absent during the presentation, the presentation must be given to the lecturer. The group is entitled to one more attempt.

Exam content: The learning outcomes

Exam form: Home exam in groups of up to three students, over two days. Maximum length: 2,000 words.

All aids permitted

Pass/fail

All answer papers are assessed by one internal and one external examiner.