Autonomous Midwifery Practice with Continuity of Carer Experience

Module overview

Theoretical component:

The theoretical component will include synchronous and asynchronous learning activities associated with decision-making, quality assurance, personal leadership, coaching of others, continuity of carer, maternity services provision and midwifery professionalism. The role of the midwife as student supervisor will be explored to support you in your role supporting learning in practice. You will be given the opportunity to ‘strengthen your capabilities’ (NMC, 2019) to realise your own potential to support your transition to first post as a newly qualified midwife.

Practice linked component:

You will be required to complete a minimum of five continuity of carer caseload experiences. This will be introduced early within the programme to allow time for the required planning and risk assessment. There is a risk assessment caseload document that needs completing per caseload. Each caseload will require a user feedback evaluation which you will then incorporate within a written reflection as well as add to your portfolio of evidence that will support future first post interviews. Appropriate activities can be recorded within your Midwifery ongoing Record of Achievement (MORA) portfolio of evidence.

Syllabus

Decision making

Decision-making theories and their application to an evidence informed practice setting
Risk assessment and management
Policy drivers
The use of clinical audit, service evaluation and quality improvement data to evaluate and enhance practice provision and to support women’s evidence-informed decision-making
Enhancing the decision making and risk assessment skills required for autonomous contemporary practice
Patient safety, human factors, critical incidences, near misses, serious adverse events and quality care
Advocating for women and newborn infants
Leadership
Escalating concerns/challenging colleagues
Decisions outside clinical guidance
Planning non-discriminatory, respectful, compassionate and kind care in partnership with women and families to strengthen their capabilities, including consideration of capacity
Working in partnership with other professionals /agencies
Documentation
The patient voice

Personal professional practice

Regulatory requirements for practice including revalidation
Transition to first post
Strength based approach – develop strength, resourcefulness and flexibility to work in stressful and difficult situations
Development of the role of autonomous practitioner
Fitness to practice and professional self-regulation
Duty of care
Duty of candour - courage, integrity, transparency, impact of dysfunctional attitudes and behaviour, ineffective team working
Safe staffing
The role of Professional Midwifery Advocate
Professional ambassador - Accountability and autonomy
Understanding self
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and other professional requirements
Developing a 1, 3 and 5 year career plan.
Continuous self-reflective practice and the need for continuous, life-long learning
Continuity of carer case load experience in practice
Suturing practical skill
Cannulation skill
Midwife as supervisor of student midwives and other learners within the a variety of environments including consideration of learners professional values, knowledge base, proficiency, 6 C’s and action plan development
Development of coaching skills to support all staff learning in practice
Process mapping
Global and multicultural perspectives of healthcare, political, legal and ethical issues influencing practice
Cultural humility
Planning for employment (building a CV and Personal Statement, negotiating a reference, interview skills etc).
Telehealth literacy
Clinical governance

Programme threads are linked throughout and include:

Infant feeding principles

Medicines management

Mental health and well-being

Values Based Enquiry Journey

Making every contact count

Continuity of carer

Leadership

Coaching

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Synchronous and asynchronous lectures

Group work

Reflection

Continuity of carer Case-load practice

Self-directed study

Blended learning

Study time
Type	Hours
Preparation for scheduled sessions	30
Tutorial	5
Seminar	8
Demonstration	2
Wider reading or practice	90.75
Lecture	15
Completion of assessment task	36.75
Total study time	187.5

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Tingle, J and Bark, P (editors) (2011). Patient safety, Law policy and Practice. Oxon: Routledge.

Gray, M., Kitson-Reynolds, E. and Cummings, A. (EDS) (2019). Starting life as a midwife: An International Review of Transition from Student to Practitioner Springer.

Standing, M (2010). Clinical judgement and decision-making in nursing and interprofessional healthcare Clinical judgement and decision-making in nursing and interprofessional healthcare. Berkshire: McGraw Hill.

Thompson, C and Dowding, D (editors) (2009). Essential decision making and clinical judgement for nurses. London: Churchill Livingstone.

Raynor, M., Marshall, J. Sullivan, A (2005). Decision-Making in Midwifery Practice. Churchill Livingstone: London.

Assessment

Assessment strategy

To pass this module you must achieve a weighted mean average of 40 % or more AND also you must pass the both components at 40% or more

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Personal Development Log

Assessment Type: Formative
Feedback: Peer group and module lead discussions and feedback
Final Assessment: No
Group Work: No

Case study

Assessment Type: Formative
Feedback: From Module lead, or member of Midwifery team as appropriate
Final Assessment: No
Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Essay	80%
Critical Reflection	20%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Critical Reflection	20%
Essay	80%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: External