Assessment 1 – Reflective Portfolio

Type: Written assessment: ongoing reflective journal

Due date: 19/02/2021 (week 13) 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: Robyn Buis

Learning Objectives:

• One (1): Apply midwifery knowledge to ensure a safe transition for the mother and baby following birth.

• Two (2): Assess and monitor the physiological and psychosocial needs of the mother and baby in the postnatal period.

• Three (3): Reflect on clinical learning and midwifery practice in relation to the adaptation of the mother, significant other and baby in the postnatal period.

• Four (4): Reflect on clinical learning and midwifery practice in relation to the adaptation of the mother, significant other and baby in the postnatal period.

Aim

Reflective practice is one of the key elements that contribute 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) 'continuity of care experience' women you recruited in term 2 who will birth in term 3, and the four (4) newly recruited women in term 3 who will birth in term 4.

Overview: by the end of term 3 you will have submitted a minimum of 10 journals in total:

Term 1: 3 journals

Term 2: 3 journals

Term 3: 4 recruited women due to birth in term 4.

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 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 is not acceptable.

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 Midwifery Practice 3 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 – Breastfeeding Case Study and Competency.

Type: Written assessment and competency.

Due date: 17/12/2020 (week 5) 18:00 hrs AEST

Weighting: 60%

Length: 2000

Unit Coordinator: Robyn Buis

Learning Objectives:

• One (1): Apply midwifery knowledge to ensure a safe transition for the mother and baby following birth.

• Two (2): Assess and monitor the physiological and psychosocial needs of the mother and baby in the postnatal period.

• Three (3): Reflect on clinical learning and midwifery practice in relation to the adaptation of the mother, significant other and baby in the postnatal period.

Task Description: Breastfeeding Case Study & CAT

You are required to develop a written essay on the following case study:

You are the midwife caring for Sarah who has given birth to Isla 12 days ago. Sarah is exclusively breastfeeding Isla but has been experiencing painful nipples when feeding and they are now cracked and bleeding. Sarah is also feeling hot and flushed today. You check her temperature and it is 38.5 degrees. Sarah tells you her left breast is hot, red and hard. You also weigh Isla and she is 2900g however, her birth weight was 3250g. Both Sarah and her partner Matt are worried about Isla and are considering stopping breastfeeding altogether. Matt is very keen to help Sarah and Isla and he wants more advice on what to do to support them.

Instructions

Using a midwifery perspective and current evidence-based practice you are required to:

Evaluate and critically analyse the above information and formulate a working diagnosis with a rationale to justify your clinical decision. What other assessments, if any, would you take and provide a rationale. Using the National Midwifery Guidelines for Consultation and Referral decide on the appropriate action to take.

Describe the pathophysiology of the disease you have identified and consider both the physical and psychological impacts on the mother.

Construct and design a midwifery plan of care that addresses the following: correction of the underlying breastfeeding problems and supports continued breastfeeding, identifies the correct treatment of the disease, the midwifery actions to alleviate the condition and empower the mother, and incorporates strategies for the father that involve him in care.

Demonstrate clinical skills in facilitating a breastfeed: You are required to undertake a breastfeeding competency on your maternity unit. Using the provided the competency assessment tool you will facilitate a breastfeed for a new mother and her infant. Your clinical facilitator or supervising midwife will assess you using the provided the tool. The tool is provided below.

Breastfeeding Competency Tool: facilitating a breastfeed for the mother and baby.

*Please ensure all boxes are completed by using the Bondy scale below for assessment.

Student name and signature:……………………………………………................................. Date:………………………………………..

Assessor name and signature:……………………………………………................................. Date:………………………………………..

Overall rating (please circle):

Assessor Comments ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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 Bachelor of Midwifery Meta Moodle site in Microsoft Word format only. Please submit your completed Breastfeeding Competency Tool to the end of your essay and submit as one document.

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: 15/02/2020 (week 13) 18:00 hrs AEST

Weighting: 0% - Pass/Fail

Unit Coordinator: Robyn Buis

Learning Objectives:

• One (1): Apply midwifery knowledge to ensure a safe transition for the mother and baby following birth.

• Two (2): Assess and monitor the physiological and psychosocial needs of the mother and baby in the postnatal period.

• Three (3): Reflect on clinical learning and midwifery practice in relation to the adaptation of the mother, significant other and baby in the postnatal period.

• Four (4): Reflect on clinical learning and midwifery practice in relation to the adaptation of the mother, significant other and baby in the postnatal period.

• Five (5): Demonstrate midwifery competence based upon the Nursing & Midwifery Board of 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 required 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 four (4) 'Continuity of Care' (CoC) experience women. Add this to your reflective journals that can be found on the Bachelor of Midwifery Meta page.

2. Complete three (3) CoC experiences from term 2 2020.

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 MDWF13003 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.

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