Bachelor in Science in Midwifery Honours Degree programme

MW2002 -Specialist Practice Placement 1 (5 ECTS)

Learning Outcomes

Following completion of this module the student should be able to:

Medical and Surgical placements

• Demonstrate awareness of nurse patient communication strategies in a variety of acute medical and surgical settings;
  
• Demonstrate awareness of the psychological impact of admission to an acute medical or surgical setting;
  
• Demonstrate awareness of the impact of procedures, treatment and diagnoses on patients and their relatives;
  
• Demonstrate awareness of the social issues that need to be addressed for some individuals and their families requiring health care in an acute general hospital;
  
• The communication or other strategies used to ally any fears experienced by patients (or their relative) prior to or during admissions, procedures or treatment;
  
• Discuss the strategies observed and methods used in health promotion and education and disease prevention;
  
• Participate in the admission of patients (elective and emergency) to a ward;
  
• Be aware of some of the needs of these patients and their relatives: (physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs);
  
• Plan and participate in the nursing care of patients and be aware of the prescribed medical or surgical treatment and their potential effects and side effects;
  
• Participate in the preparation of patients for medical and surgical procedures;
  
• Participate in the administration of medications under the supervision of the staff nurse.

Gynaecological placement and High Dependency Care

• Participate in care to women experiencing pathophysiological processes during pregnancy and /or the puerperium;
  
• Participate in the care of women experiencing varied gynaecological conditions;
  
• Critically discuss the physical, emotional, psychological and social effects of some of the observed pathophysiologies on women and their families;
  
• Identify available support systems for these women and their families and demonstrate the ability to access these support systems;
  
• Provide and participate in the care of women experiencing miscarriage or stillbirth
  

Operating theatre

• Identify key features that contribute to positive midwife/doctor/woman interaction/communication in the operating room situation;
  
• Be aware of the mechanisms employed by all professionals and personnel in preserving and protecting a woman’s privacy and dignity in the operating room setting;
  
• Demonstrate the ability to participate in the provision of information and psychological support prior to surgery;
  
• Demonstrate the ability to prepare women physically for surgery;
  
• Participate in and provide care to women undergoing elective and emergency surgery;
  
• Participate in the provision of care to women who are anaesthetised or unconscious;
  
• Participate in the provision of care to women immediately recovering from anaesthesia and surgery.

Module Learning Aims

The aim of the placement medical and surgical placement is to introduce midwifery students to the
health care needs of a population out with the maternity services in order for them to observe the
aspects (preventative, diagnostic, curative, progressive and recovery) of diseases and conditions never
or rarely seen in midwifery context.

Recommended Reading List

• An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann. (2015) Practice Standards for Midwives. Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann, Dublin.
• Chapman V.  & Charles, C. (eds.) (2009) The Midwife’s Labour and Birth Handbook, 2nd edn. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford.
• MacDonald S. & Magill-Cuerden J., (eds.) (2011) Mayes’ Midwifery.  A Textbook for Midwives, 14th edn. Balliere Tindall, London.
• Marshall J.E. & Raynor M. D. (eds.) (2014) Myles Textbook for Midwives, 16th edn. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh.
• Stables D. & Rankin J. (eds.) (2010) Physiology in Childbearing: With Anatomy and Related Biosciences, 3rd edn. Bailliere Tindall, Edinburgh.
  

* Additional readings will be given for each unit of learning.