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Curricular information is subject to change
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Unit 1:
Demonstrate an awareness of the legislation, historical and current, which regulates midwifery in Ireland;
Appraise the implications of the concepts of accountability and autonomy for midwifery practice
Identify the role of midwives and the scope of practice of midwives in the Irish maternity services
Define the fundamental principles associated with the ethical and legal aspects of midwifery practice.
Discuss legal issues that may be encountered in caring for women and their families.
Recognise legislation which impacts on the provision of maternity services and midwifery care.
Appraise the implications of the concepts of informed choice, confidentiality, informed consent, agency accountability and autonomy for midwifery practice.
Unit 2:
Demonstrate an understanding of patient safety principles and how they apply to maternity services.
Demonstrate an understanding of clinical risk management principles and how they apply to maternity services.
Evaluate the quality assurance procedures in maternity care within Ireland, with particular reference to clinical governance mechanisms.
Unit 1: Professional, Legal and Ethical Issues
A)
The development of midwifery as a profession
•Review of the history and evolution of midwifery
The professional identity and role of the midwife
•Definition of a midwife
•Philosophy and values
•Advocacy, autonomy and accountability
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
•Its role and function in the regulation of midwives including legislation and fitness to practice
•Scope of Nursing and Midwifery Practice Framework
•Practice Standards for Midwives
•Code of conduct
Continuing professional development and maintaining competence
Cultural competency
Facilitating and supporting students’ and colleagues’ learning
•Preceptorship and Mentorship
Personal and Professional Development
•Reflection in and on practice
Information technology
•Use of information technology in midwifery practice
•Management of data and data protection
•Assistive technology for healthcare
B)
Code of professional conduct and ethics for midwives
Ethical issues in professional midwifery practice including: respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice consent and refusal of consent, confidentiality and truth telling
The structure and processes of the Irish legal system
Duty of care and negligence, informed consent, informed choice, right of refusal, confidentiality and accountability, consent of minors
Constitutional issues relating to enumerated and unremunerated rights including bodily integrity
Unit 2: Patient Safety and Quality
Patient safety in midwifery practice
Facilitating a patient safety culture
Clinical risk management
•Clinical risk principles and assessment
•Incident reporting
•Clinical indemnity
•Documentation in maternity care
Learning from enquiries into maternity care
Communication in maternity care
•Communication in challenging and difficult circumstances
•Communication tools and frameworks
Quality assurance and maternity care
Standards for midwifery practice
Clinical Governance
How to undertake a clinical audit
| Student Effort Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 12 |
| Specified Learning Activities | 24 |
| Autonomous Student Learning | 77 |
| Online Learning | 12 |
| Total | 125 |
Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) as Registered General Nurse and Student Midwife Candidate is required
| Remediation Type | Remediation Timing |
|---|---|
| In-Module Resit | Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board |
• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Online automated feedback
Students will have an opportunity to present a draft of their presentation to the module co-ordinator prior to examination
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Dr Lorraine Carroll | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Assoc Professor Barbara Coughlan | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Ms Mary Curtin | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Dr Aoife Claire MacCormac | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Dr Bongani Sibandze | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |