PHVIT9580 Theories and Models for Midwifery Course description

There is an increasing internationalisation within the field of midwifery and maternity care research. Researchers from the Anglo-Saxon cultural area are dominating the field, because they are many in numbers, have a long research tradition, and are producing research of high quality. Guidelines and models of care aimed to be used in all countries are developed. International research literature and textbooks in English are important part of the curricula in midwifery educations in the Nordic countries as well as in other countries. The internationalisation is welcomed and international research, models of care and guidelines can improve quality and outcomes of care in the Nordic countries as well as other countries.

For small countries, there is a danger of introducing and implementing thoughts, models and guidelines without taking the local context in consideration. We find it important to know and recognize our own context for several reasons. We need to assess international research results, guidelines and models of care into a Nordic context, and to be conscious about what we can contribute with to the rest of the world.

This course will focus on theories and models in midwifery and maternity care. Central theories and models in relation to childbirth and reproductive health will be introduced e.g. linked to salutogenesis, pathogenesis, evidence-based practice, a midwifery model of woman-centred care, developed in a Nordic context (MiMo), the global Quality Maternal and New-born Care (QMNC). Perspectives encompassing both quantitative and qualitative methodologies will be explored and implications of different theoretical approach, linked to students´ own research, will be discussed in the context of the Nordic region and internationally.

The course will run as a five-day course over a period of two months.

This course is aimed at PhD students admitted to the PhD Programme in Health Sciences and is also open to Nordic and international PhD students with a research project within the field. Admission requirements are a completed master's degree (120 ECTS credits) or equivalent qualification.

The course can also be offered to students who have been admitted to the "Health Science Research Programme, 60 ECTS", by prior approval from the supervisor and based on given guidelines for the research programme.

On completion of the course, the PhD candidate has achieved the following learning outcomes, defined in terms of knowledge, skills, and general competence:

Knowledge

The PhD candidate can

• critically asses the historic and cultural roots of midwifery in the context of the Nordic countries.
• critically assess and evaluate the application of theories and models for midwifery and maternity care.

Skills

The PhD candidate can

• identify and integrate conceptual and theoretical frameworks for midwifery into the student’s own research project.
• formulate and discuss complex issues, strengths and challenges of midwifery and maternity care in the Nordic context of high income and welfare societies.

Competences

The PhD candidate can

• communicate and take an active part in debates on theories and models in the context of the Nordic countries.

Work and teaching methods consist of lectures, self-study, group work and plenary discussions. A high degree of participants´ activity and involvement is expected.

None

Individual home examination, to be submitted no more than two weeks after the end of the course. The examination includes describing and discussing complex issues in midwifery, strengths and challenges in maternity care in the Nordic context of high income and welfare societies. Furthermore, explore the historic roots of midwifery and critically assess the relevant theories and models of care for research in midwifery from a Nordic, as well as international, perspective. The essay must be written in English and consist up to 5000 words.

All

Pass / Fail

One internal and one external examiner will assess the essays submitted by all candidates.