| Effective Term: | 2026/20 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Health and Wellbeing |
| Unit Title: | Evidence-Based Midwifery Practice |
| Unit ID: | MIDBM3105 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | Nil |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | Nil |
| ASCED: | 060303 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
This unit consolidates learning and addresses the use of research and contemporary theory to inform midwifery practice. It will enable the student to develop skills in clinical reasoning and judgement, and in evaluating evidence on which to base practice. Students will critique the application of research evidence in maternity care, and identify best practice. Students will compare and contrast existing practices, policies, procedures and protocols against the standards of evidence and best practice and relate this process to quality improvement in midwifery care. Students will develop skills to research aspects of practice that require an evidence basis, to collect and critically examine this evidence, and to formulate strategies for implementation of evidence-based practice |
| Grade Scheme: | Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| No work experience |
| Placement Component: | |
| Supplementary Assessment:Yes |
| Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment |
| Course Level: |
| Level of Unit in Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | | | | | | | Intermediate | | | | | | | | Advanced | | | | | | |
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| Learning Outcomes: |
| Knowledge: |
| K1. | Identify the ways in which midwifery discipline knowledge is generated and used |
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| K2. | Analyse the relationship between research, theory and practice in midwifery |
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| K3. | Critically examine selected research in midwifery practice, including ethical considerations |
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| K4. | Examine various decision-making frameworks and their importance to contemporary midwifery |
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| K5. | Discuss principles of safety and quality in maternity health care |
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| Skills: |
| S1. | Engage in skilled reflection for personal practice development |
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| S2. | Develop skills for conducting midwifery research |
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| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Review and analyse the debate on evidence-based midwifery practice |
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| A2. | Critique an aspect of current midwifery practice to identify strengths and weaknesses of practice |
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| A3. | Apply the NMBA decision-making framework to midwifery |
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| Other outcomes: |
| Unit Content: |
The ANMAC National Accreditation Standards for the Midwife (2021); NMBA National Competency Standards for the Midwife (2018); NMBA Code of Professional Conduct for the Midwife (2018) and International Code of Ethics for the Midwife (2014) have substantially informed the syllabus/content of this unit. Evidence based knowledge in midwifery practice Assessing levels of evidence, evaluating evidence Steps of evidence-based midwifery Ethical considerations in evidence based practice, code of ethics Best practice principles Becoming a life-long learner, Midwifery inquiry Methods of inquiry, quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods Choosing a method of inquiry Gathering data, analysing data, applying findings to practice Applying the systematic review in informing clinical practice Critical thinking, problem solving and decision making Clinical decision-making framework and skills - Based on evidence, Experience, Collaboration & Consultation Principles of safety and quality in healthcare, NSQHS, Safer Care Vic Occupational health and safety Victorian Perinatal Data Collection; Digital Health Capability Framework; Digital health electronic medical records, Birthing outcomes system. |
| Graduate Attributes: |
| Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.
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| FED TASK and descriptor | Development and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit | | Level | FEDTASK 1
Interpersonal | Students at this level will demonstrate an advanced ability in a range of contexts to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display high level skills in-person and/or online in: • Using and demonstrating a high level of verbal and non-verbal communication • Demonstrating a mastery of listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Demonstrating and showing empathy for others • High order skills in negotiating and conflict resolution skills\\ • Demonstrating mastery of working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams. | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines | FEDTASK 2
Leadership | Students at this level will demonstrate a mastery in professional skills and behaviours in leading others. • Creating and sustaining a collegial environment • Demonstrating a high level of self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect and justify decisions • Inspiring and initiating opportunities to lead others • Making informed professional decisions • Demonstrating initiative in new professional situations. | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines | FEDTASK 3
Critical Thinking and Creativity | Students at this level will demonstrate high level skills in working in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically to generate and consider complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level • Analysing complex and abstract ideas, concepts and information • Communicate alternative perspectives to justify complex ideas • Demonstrate a mastery of challenging conventional thinking to clarify complex concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving to new situations for further learning. | Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context | FEDTASK 4
Digital Literacy | Students at this level will demonstrate the ability to work competently across a wide range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Mastering, exploring, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information professionally • Collating, managing complex data, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding professionally to messages in a range of professional digital media • Contributing competently and professionally to digital teams and working groups • Participating at a high level in digital learning opportunities. | Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context | FEDTASK 5
sustainable and Ethical Mindset | Students at this level will demonstrate a mastery of considering and assessing the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting professional ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Demonstrate informed judgment making that considers the impact of devising complex solutions in ambiguous global economic environmental and societal contexts • Professionally committing to the promulgation of social responsibility • Demonstrate the ability to evaluate ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Communicating lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to the diverse professional others • Generating, leading and implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life | Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context |
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| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | Professional Standards |
| 1. |
K1, K2, S1, S2, A2 |
Reviewing the evidence base for practice; clinical decision-making |
Written assessment: Annotated bibliography |
30-40% |
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| 2. |
K3, K4, K5, S1, S2, A1, A2, A3 |
Midwifery inquiry - Identifying current midwifery practices; applying the evidence; and presenting the research. |
Written assessment: Midwifery practice quality audit review |
60-70% |
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