Assessment 1 – Reflective Portfolio

Type: Written assessment: ongoing reflective journal

Due date: 4/06/2021 (week 12) 18:00 hrs AEST

Weighting: 40%

Length: N/A. Each journal entry should be approximately 400 words however labour and birth reflections can be longer.

Unit Coordinator: Bridget Ferguson

Learning Outcomes Assessed:

• One (1): Apply the concepts and principles underpinning the frameworks of midwifery to beginning midwifery practice.

• Two (2): Demonstrate beginning midwifery practice skills related to assessment of women and the neonate across the continuum of normal childbearing using the Australian College of Midwives National Midwifery Guidelines for Consultation or Referral.

• Three (3): Reflect on clinical learning related to your continuity of care experiences to enhance practice.

• Four (4): Demonstrate midwifery competence based upon the Nursing and Midwifery Board Australia (NMBA) requirements.

Aim

Reflective practice is a key element that contributes to the NMBA Midwife Standards for Practice. It is through reflective processes that both students and registered midwives can identify and explore diverse values, beliefs, learning needs and sociocultural structures.

To facilitate your reflective skill development you are required to complete a reflective piece of writing for each of the three (3) recruited 'continuity of care experience' women you are working with. *The journals must be uploaded to the appropriate section of the Bachelor of Midwifery Meta page.

Overview of Reflective Journal Writing

A reflective journal is a way of thinking in a critical and analytical way about your clinical experience. It involves looking at a situation, assessing what you have learnt from it, what you could have done differently, realising new approaches to your care and ultimately, how you felt about the whole experience. As a student midwife it shows how different aspects of your work interconnect and can be very useful for identifying gaps in knowledge and ethical dilemmas or situations that need further thought.

Understanding your feelings is a vital skill for reflective writing, and studying midwifery involves being exposed to many new situations - doing your first antenatal booking; helping a woman with breastfeeding support; witnessing a birth - which can bring new reactions to the surface. It's important to comprehend what you feel, why you feel that way and to then learn from it, as failing to reflect can lead to poor insight and therefore poor performance in practice (Hays & Gay, 2011).

Reflective writing is more personal than other kinds of academic writing and is an exploration of events not just a description of them.

Instructions

Reflective Journal Requirements

Refer to the provided Reflective Journal Template and the Two Reflective Journal examples.

Journal entries are your written reflections of face to face or telehealth episodes of care with the recruited Continuity of Care woman. Phone calls, emails, text messages or any other form of communication other than face to face contact or telehealth is not acceptable. *If you are experiencing COVID-19 restrictions in the clinical area and this impedes face to face contact please contact the unit coordinator to discuss your options well before the due date.

How to structure reflective writing

It can be useful to use a reflective model, or series of questions, which will help you look at the whole event from many different angles (Macdonald, 2011; Driscoll, 1994; Benner, 1984). The Driscoll model has a very simple 'what', 'so what' and 'now what' model, which is easy to remember and write up. There are three common reflective writing models that you may choose to follow when writing reflectively: Van Manen, Gibbs and Durgahee (Giminez, 2019). The models all involve thinking systematically about the phases of an activity, using headings including description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion and action plan. These theoretical frameworks provide a starting point for the critical skills that all student midwives should develop by the end of their educational program.

Example:

1. Description: (do not make this too long - refer to the provided template).

What is it? What happened? Why am I talking about it?

2. Interpretation: What is important and relevant? Look through your description and try to find words or phrases that require further exploration. Include the rationale for what was done or why it was done. Where there is controversy about what was done or found, provide the rationale and sources of evidence for both sides of the argument. How can it be explored and explained using contemporary theories?

3. Outcome: What have I learned from this? How will it influence my future work?

Above all, enjoy writing the journal - it is about you and your reflection and your development as a clinical midwife!

Literature and references

In this assessment you may use contemporary references (<5 years) to support your reflective writing. You may also use seminal scholarly literature where relevant. Suitable references include peer-reviewed journal articles as well as textbooks and credible websites. When sourcing information, consider the five elements of a quality reference: currency, authority, relevance, objectivity, and coverage. Grey literature sourced from the internet must be from reputable websites such as from government, university, or peak national bodies: for example, the Australian College of Midwives.

Requirements

• Each CoC woman must have their own individual journal in Word Doc. Format and be uploaded as an individual file to the Bachelor of Midwifery Meta page.

• Each journal entry in the portfolio must adhere to the template provided on the MDWF12003 Moodle page.

• Each CoC woman must be de-identified within the journal.

• Use a conventional and legible size 12 font, such as Times New Roman or Arial, with 1.5 line spacing and 2.54cm page margins (standard pre-set margin in Microsoft Word).

• Include page numbers on each page in a footer.

• You may write in the first-person perspective.

• Use formal academic language.

• Use the seventh edition American Psychological Association (APA) referencing style. The CQUniversity Academic Learning Centre has an online APA Referencing Style Guide.

• The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. The word count excludes the reference list but includes in-text references and direct quotations.

Resources

• You must use unit provided journal templates and other credible sources of information (e.g. journal articles, books) to reference your discussion. The quality and credibility of your sources are important.

• We recommend that you access your discipline specific library guide: Midwifery Resource Guide

• We recommend you use EndNote to manage your citations and reference list. More information on how to use EndNote is available at the CQUniversity Library website.

• For information on academic communication please go to the Academic Learning Centre Moodle site. The Academic Communication section has many helpful resources including information for students with English as a second language.

• Submit a draft before the due date to review your Turnitin Similarity Score before making a final submission. Instructions are available here.

Submission

Submit your assessment via the Bachelor of Midwifery Meta Moodle site in Microsoft Word format only.

Marking Criteria

Refer to the marking rubric on the Moodle site for more detail on how marks will be assigned.

References

Benner, P. (1984). From novice to expert. Menlo Park.

Driscoll, J. (1994). Reflective practice for practise. Sr Nurse, 14(1), 47-50.

Gimenez, J. (2019). Writing for Nursing and Midwifery Students: Springer Nature.

Hays, R., & Gay, S. (2011). Reflection or ‘pre-reflection’: what are we actually measuring in reflective practice? Medical Education, 45(2), 116-118. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2923.2010.03813.x

Macdonald, J., & Poniatowska, B. (2011). Designing the professional development of staff for teaching online: an OU (UK) case study. Distance Education, 32(1), 119-134. doi:10.1080/01587919.2011.565481

Assessment 2 – Antenatal Case Study and Pamphlet: Women’s Right to choose their model of maternity care.”

Due date: 06/05/2021 (Week 8) 18:00 hrs

Weighting: This assessment will provide you with 60% of your final grade. The assessment will be marked against the assessment rubric.

Length: 2500 Words (+/- 10%)

Aim

The aim of this assessment is to provide you with an opportunity to express your understanding of the various models of maternity care available to women, demonstrate your knowledge of continuity of midwifery care and apply the National Guidelines for Consultation and Referral to your beginning midwifery practice.

Learning Outcomes Assessed

This assessment will help you to meet the Unit Learning Outcomes:

1. Apply the concepts and principles underpinning the frameworks of midwifery to beginning midwifery practice.

2. Demonstrate beginning midwifery practice skills related to the assessment of women and the neonate across the continuum of normal childbearing using the Australian College of Midwives National Midwifery Guidelines for Consultation or Referral.

3. Reflect on clinical learning related to your continuity of care experiences to enhance

Assessment:

Australian women have a choice of various models of maternity care within both public and private health systems. These include private obstetric care, private practice midwifery care, core midwifery/obstetric public care, shared care with a GP, and caseload models of care. Determining which model of care is most applicable for each individual woman is based upon many factors. A holistic approach is required to support women in making their informed choice on which model of care is most applicable.

The Australian College of Midwives, Midwifery Philosophy includes:

• Every woman has the right to self-determination in attaining choice, control and continuity of care from one or more known caregivers.
• Every woman has the right and responsibility to make informed decisions for herself, her baby and her family with assistance, when requested, from health professionals.

The Australian College of Midwives provides The National Guidelines for Consultation & Referral. This document is designed for midwives to integrate clinical evidence with experience to determine a midwifery assessment score: A, B or C. Timely identification of the score provides an indication of which model of care may be most appropriate. The midwifery assessment score is initially determined at the booking in, antenatal visit.

In this assessment, you will be developing a written essay on a case study that …. (how does it relate to the above?) and a pamphlet on midwifery led Continuity of Care models.

Explanation of Assessment:

This assessment is in two parts, In the first part you are to develop a written essay based on the case study outlined below. In the second part you are to develop a pamphlet that outlines the benefits of midwifery-led Continuity of Care models.

Part 1

Case study:

You are undertaking a booking in visit for Kara Smith. Kara is 30yrs old and G1P0 at 12wks gestation. Kara has a BMI of 36, normal vital signs, she states that she has depression and anxiety (she is not prescribed medication for these conditions), NKDA, her pap smear is up to date and she has completed her childhood vaccinations. Kate’s blood group is A+ and Hb is 112. She is a non-smoker and non-drinker. Kate tells you she has no other medical conditions and no surgical history. Kate is happily married to Dean and they are both excited and happy to welcome this baby. During the booking in appointment Kara expresses a desire to know about having her own midwife and birthing in a birth centre as she is feeling anxious about childbirth. Her husband, Dean, is concerned about this and feels that the safest option is to choose care under a medical model with the obstetrician at the hospital.

You are required to determine Kara’s maternity risk assessment score using The National Guidelines for Consultation and Referral. You will find a link to purchase this resource on the Australian College of Midwives website. (You will use this in your essay)

You will research widely the current, peer reviewed evidence on different models of maternity care available to women in Australia via both the public and private systems.

You are required to succinctly:

Discuss each model of maternity care, delivery of care and options for birth environment in each model.

Analyse the benefits and challenges of each model of care. Consider and link birth outcomes and maternal satisfaction to associated medical or midwifery models.

Outline your advice to Kara and Dean, based on the maternity risk assessment score you have determined, as to which models are the most applicable for their pregnancy, birth and postnatal care.

Part 2

Formulate a 500 word information pamphlet for your Continuity of Care women that explains the benefits of midwifery led Continuity of Care models.

Literature and references

In this assessment you are to use contemporary references (<5 years) to support your reflective writing. You may also use seminal scholarly literature where relevant. Suitable references include peer-reviewed journal articles as well as textbooks and credible websites. When sourcing information, consider the five elements of a quality reference: currency, authority, relevance, objectivity, and coverage. Grey literature sourced from the internet must be from reputable websites such as from government, university, or peak national bodies: for example, the Australian College of Midwives.

Requirements

· Use a conventional and legible size 12 font, such as Times New Roman or Arial, with 1.5 line spacing and 2.54cm page margins (standard pre-set margin in Microsoft Word).

· Include page numbers on each page in a footer.

· You may write in the first-person perspective.

· Use formal academic language.

· Use the seventh edition American Psychological Association (APA) referencing style. The CQUniversity Academic Learning Centre has an online APA Referencing Style Guide.

· The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. The word count excludes the reference list but includes in-text references and direct quotations.

Resources

· You may use unit materials provided and other credible sources of information (e.g. journal articles, books) to reference your argument. The quality and credibility of your sources are important.

· We recommend that you access your discipline specific library guide: Midwifery Resource Guide

· We recommend you use EndNote to manage your citations and reference list. More information on how to use EndNote is available at the CQUniversity Library website.

· For information on academic communication please go to the Academic Learning Centre Moodle site. The Academic Communication section has many helpful resources including information for students with English as a second language.

· Submit a draft before the due date to review your Turnitin Similarity Score before making a final submission. Instructions are available here.

Submission

Submit your assessment via the MDWF12003 Moodle site in Microsoft Word format only. Please submit your completed pamphlet as a separate document to the assessment submission zone, therefore you will upload two files.

Marking Criteria

Refer to the marking rubric on the Moodle site for more detail on how marks will be assigned.

Assessment 3 – Clinical Practice Placement: End of Term Documents.

Type: Clinical Hours, Skills and Competency Assessment Tool.

Due date: 18/06/2021 (week 14) 18:00 hrs

Weighting: 0% - Pass/Fail

Unit Coordinator: Bridget Ferguson

Learning Outcomes Assessed:

• One (1): Apply the concepts and principles underpinning the frameworks of midwifery to beginning midwifery practice.

• Two (2): Demonstrate beginning midwifery practice skills related to assessment of women and the neonate across the continuum of normal childbearing using the Australian College of Midwives 'National Midwifery Guidelines for Consultation and Referral'.

• Three (3): Reflect on clinical learning related to your continuity of care experiences to enhance practice.

• Four (4): Demonstrate midwifery competence based upon the Nursing and Midwifery Board Australia (NMBA) requirements.

Task Description:

Minimal clinical practice experience of 224 hours is required by the completion of this unit. This clinical experience will allow you to consolidate knowledge and skills acquired throughout the term and enable you to distinguish in your scope of practice between normal and complex midwifery care. You are required to meet the clinical requirements listed below and these requirements need to be documented within your Student Clinical Experience Record Book. Please note that successful completion of this unit is not merely the completion of requisite clinical hours and skills but also the demonstration of midwifery novice competency based upon the NMBA requirements and professional behaviour as per relevant CQUniversity policies.

Requirements

You are expected to work towards minimal clinical requirements which include:

1. Recruit three (3) 'Continuity of Care' (CoC) experience women, and commence your reflective journals. Templates can be found on the Bachelor of Midwifery Meta page.

2. Complete the recruitment or a minimum of 1 antenatal visit for three (3) CoC women in Term 1 who will birth in Term 2.

3. Complete Competency Performance Assessment

4. Complete 224 hours of clinical practice experience plus continuity of care hours (10-20 in total per woman recruited).

Each student must submit the following completed documents:

• Bachelor of Midwifery (Graduate Entry) Record of Hours.

• Midwifery clinical hours running sheet.

• Competency Assessment Tool.

• Record of CoCE sheet.

The required clinical experience will be reviewed by the midwifery educator/manager in conjunction with the unit coordinator.

Resources

• You must use the correct documents (as listed above) that are provided on the MDWF 12003 Moodle unit page.

Submission

All four documents, as listed above, must be completely filled out with no mistakes, no white out, and correctly calculated hours, with all sections signed by the student and registered midwife assessor. All completed and correct documents must be legible and clearly scanned with a high resolution scanner. Clear, readable scanned copies will be emailed to Robyn Buis at r.buis@cqu.edu.au by the due date.

Marking Criteria

There is no marking rubric for this assessment as this is a Pass/Fail assessment.

This is a pass/fail assessment and therefore no marking rubric applies to this assessment.