MDWF 12001 Assessment One: Online Discussion

This assessment relates to learning outcomes: One (1), Two (2), and Three (3).

1. Examine the historical roots and social and political influences on contemporary midwifery.
2. Explain the role of the midwife.
3. Critique the theories and philosophy underpinning contemporary midwifery practice in national and international settings.

Task Description

You are required to participate in an online group discussion via the Moodle subject discussion forum, which will be directed by the Unit Coordinator. The online activities will require you to participate in a group discussion on 4 (four) set weeks over the semester that is based on topics in your study guide. Marks will be awarded as per the marking rubric. Give your professional opinion and write a discussion, using professional dialogue that is supported by evidence. Each online submission is due by the Friday of that week at 11:45pm AEST.

The Online Discussion will occur on weeks 3, 5, 7, 10

Length of Post/Discussion: 150- 200 words

Week 3 Topic: Consider the historical and traditional hierarchy between doctors and midwives. How do relationships between doctors and midwives support or undermine woman-centred care? Does this power dynamic affect women’s choices for maternity care and birth options?

Week 5 Topic: Reflect on a time in your career when you’ve witnessed a breach in bioethical principles. Using Gibbs Reflective Cycle (p5. Week 5 study guide) write a reflection about your experience to demonstrate your learning. Discuss the role of the midwife as an advocate for the rights of women, babies and families.

REF: Gibbs, G. (1988). Learning by Doing: A Guide to Teaching and Learning Methods. Oxford Further Education Unit, Oxford.

Week 7 Topic: Review your discussion in the week three topic. Why is collaborative practice between doctors and midwives important? Provide recommendations for establishing and maintaining professional collaborative relationships. What strategies can you employ when the person you are collaborating with does not see your point of view? Give an example of good collaboration you have seen in your career to date.

Week 10 Topic: Compared with women from European backgrounds, Indigenous women do not have the same levels of participation in decision making, planning, development and delivery of health and maternity services. What are some barriers to Indigenous women’s participation in their own health care? How can midwives work in partnership with Indigenous women to remedy these inequalities?

Contribution to the online group discussion is to add to the questions being posed in the study guide and to contribute to the discussion generated by your colleagues. Simply stating 'yes I agree with previous statements' will not be considered to be contributing to the discussion. If you are citing from other work in your post you will be required to reference this using APA 6^th edition style.

Assessment Due Date: Week 3, 5, 7, 10 on the Friday of each week by 11:45 PM AEST

Final Submission of the assessment one (all the posts/blogs) will be due: 25^th of May 2018 (Week 11).

Final submission will be completed by your unit coordinator

Assessment Criteria

Your written online discussion will be evaluated on the following assessment criteria:

Comprehension of Topic: 30%

Critical Thinking: 40%

Responsive and Timely postings: 30%

Please access the marking rubric for further in-depth details of assessment criteria.

Total weighting 20%

Please Note:

Participation in the online activities will be directed by the Unit Coordinator/lecturer throughout the course. If a topic or discussion arises that is challenging for you please contact the Unit Coordinator for private correspondence.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

MDWF12001 Midwifery Past & Present - Written Assessment 2

Objectives: This assessment item relates to learning outcomes One (1), Two (2).

Instructions to students:

You are required to write an essay that demonstrates your understanding of the concepts learnt throughout this course thus far. You are expected to use an academic approach to answer all components of this assessment. Using this approach, you will need to demonstrate that you have researched the relevant issues present. You are required to read widely and analyse the information that you gather, ensuring that it is applicable, evidence-based and up-to-date.

Assessment: Essay

Consider and contrast historical and contemporary approaches to care of the pregnant, birthing and postnatal woman. Critically analyse the three components of maternity care that were lost at the turn of the 19th century marking the beginning of the move of childbirth from the home into institutions. The three components according to Davis and Hunter (2015) included:

· A move away from a familiar environment,

· The loss of a close personal and trusting relationship with a midwife who provided continuous care throughout labour and childbirth,

· A strong belief in the normal physiology of childbirth.

Your written essay must:

· Explore historical and contemporary approaches to maternity care and the three components of women's care (as above) that was lost in the move from birthing in the home to birthing in the hospital system.

· Discuss the impact of this loss upon women, their birthing experience and the midwifery profession.

· Analyze how contemporary midwifery, via continuity models of care, seeks to reinstate these components. Discuss and link contemporary midwifery models of care to the International Confederation of Midwives’ Bill of Rights for Women and Midwives.

Reference: Davis, D & Hunter, M (2015). The place of birth. In S, Pairman, J, Pincombe, C, Thorogood C, & Tracy. (3rd ed., pages 132-153). Sydney, Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier.

Please Note:

• A title page is required for this assignment - including your name, student number, due date, word count and coordinator's name.
• An introduction, conclusion and reference list is also required this assessment.
• A 10% leeway on either side of the word limit will be accepted. The word count will be measured from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. The reference list is not included in the word count.
• It is an expectation that the references used will be recent journal articles, five years or less since publication and reference books are to be no older than ten years, unless seminal works. Correct referencing is to be utilised throughout the body of work.
• Referencing: American Psychological Association referencing style is a requirement. Poor referencing is unacceptable at this level of study.
• For more information on the APA referencing style please visit: CQUniversity Library site - click on students and then referencing.
• Plagiarism detection software - Turnitin will be utilised to evaluate assignments. Please refer to the course profile for further information regarding Turnitin.

Specific expectations:
Before commencing the assessment you are required to read the marking criteria sheet for this assessment (see below)
For assessment extension requests - please go to the Assignment Extension Request tool bar on the MDWF12001 Moodle page.
Submission of the assessment is via Moodle, if you experience problems with submission, please contact the CQU helpdesk on (07) 493099233 or (toll free) on 1300 666.
Support and Contact Details: Course Coordinator – Bridget Ferguson
Phone number 4930 9158 or email:b.ferguson@cqu.edu.au

Student Name:

MDWF 12001 Midwifery Past & Present - Assessment Criteria Sheet – Assessment Two – Written Assessment

MIDWIFERY PAST & PRESENT ASSESSMENT 3

Due date: 25.5.18: week 11

Weighting: 40%

Word Limit: 2000

Objectives: This assessment item relates to learning outcomes Two (2) and Three (3).

Instructions to students:

You must be able to demonstrate your understanding of the concepts learnt throughout this course. You are expected to use an academic approach to answer all components of this assessment. Using this approach, you will need to demonstrate that you have researched the relevant issues present. You are required to read widely and analyse the information that you gather, ensuring that it is applicable, evidence-based and up-to-date.

Case Study: Gabrielle’s story.

After a traumatic first birth in hospital, Gabrielle chose a midwifery continuity of care model at a midwifery lead birth centre with her second baby:

When I was about five months pregnant, I got in to the Birth Centre and met my midwife. I have amazing feelings about her now, I’ll never forget her, she’s like family. My daughter's birth was fantastic because my midwife understood and supported me and I trusted myself that I could do it. Many women have difficult birth experiences and then struggle emotionally afterwards. It's so related to the birth. Now I say to pregnant women ‘look into the Birth Centre, do some research’. I want others to experience the kind of healing birth I had with my daughter, so empowering.

This description highlights the emotional intimacy and closeness of what is essentially a professionally relationship between women and midwives.

Ref: (Moloney, S., & Gair, S. 2015, p.326)

Assessment:

In reflecting upon Gabrielle’s story, research and discuss the following points:

• Discuss and link midwifery to the empowerment of pregnant and birthing women and their right to choose their own model of care.

• Analyze and discuss how midwifery-led continuity of care models benefit women and families during pregnancy and birth experiences. Link this to the Australian College of Midwives (ACM) midwifery philosophy.

• When working with women in a midwifery continuity of care model, a relationship has a potential for becoming a friendship. Critically analyse the differences between friendships and professional relationships in relation to midwifery-led continuity of care models and how midwives end this professional relationship successfully.

Reference: Moloney, S., & Gair, S. (2015). Empathy and spiritual care in midwifery practice: Contributing to women’s enhanced birth experiences. Women and Birth, 28(4), 323-328.

MDWF 12001 Midwifery Past & Present - Assessment Criteria Sheet – Assessment Three– Written Assessment

Student Name:

This assignment is worth 40% of the total assessment for this subject. /100

COMMENTS:

Marker: Date: