Pharmacology and Diagnostics in Midwifery (11297.1)

Please note these are the 2023 details for this unit
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Pharmacology and Diagnostics in Midwifery
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods Flexible
 UC - Canberra, Bruce
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Health
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Discipline Of Midwifery Level 2 - Undergraduate Intermediate Unit Band 1 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 1 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit focuses on pharmacology and diagnostics within the midwifery scope of practice. The student will focus on pharmacological concepts and pharmacokinetic considerations in general and specific to pregnancy and breastfeeding. The unit also addresses a range of therapeutic considerations impacting on drug action. The student will examine a variety of diagnostic testing and screening tools to understand implications for childbearing women and midwifery practice.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate theoretical and technical knowledge in the area of physiology, pharmacology and pharmacokinetics within the context of midwifery care;
2. Apply knowledge of evidence and safety frameworks to promote quality and safety in medication administration in the context of midwifery care; and
3. Interpret diagnostic testing and screening results and evaluate the implications for midwifery practice.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development


Prerequisites

11334 The Work of Birth

Corequisites

Enrolment in HLB001 Bachelor of Midwifery.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2023 UC - Canberra, Bruce Winter Term 30 May 2023 Flexible Dr Marjorie Atchan
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

Jordan, S. (2010). Pharmacology for midwives: The evidence base for safe practice (2nd ed.) Basingstoke: Palgrave.

Pairman S., Tracey, S., Dahlen, H. & Dixon, L. (Eds) (2019). Midwifery: Preparation for Practice (4th ed.). Sydney: Elsevier Australia.

There will also be other set and/or suggested readings associated with the weekly topics, provided through e-reserve as required. In addition, you are encouraged to access up to date information from appropriate journals such as:

  • Birth
  • Birth issues
  • British Journal of Midwifery
  • Evidenced Based Midwifery
  • Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health
  • Maternal and Child Nutrition
  • Midwifery
  • New Zealand College of Midwives Journal
  • The Practicing Midwife
  • Women and Birth

These and other journals are available through the UC Library and the ACT Health Library.

References

Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (2010). The Australian Safety and Quality Framework for Health Care. Sydney: ACSQHC.

Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards. 2nd ed. – version 2. Sydney: ACSQHC; 2021. 

Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC). AURA 2019: third Australian report on antimicrobial use and resistance in human health. Sydney: ACSQHC; 2019

 

Australian College of Midwives (ACM). (2014). National Midwifery Guidelines for Consultation and Referral (3rd ed. Issue 2). Canberra: ACM.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). (2020). Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2020. Australia's mothers and babies 2018: in brief. Perinatal statistics series no. 36. Cat. no. PER 108. Canberra: AIHW.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2020. Maternal deaths in Australia 2015–2017. Cat. no. PER 106. Canberra: AIHW.

Coad, J. Pedley, K., & Dunstall, M. (2020). Anatomy and physiology for midwives. (3rd ed.). St Louis: Mosby.

Doubilet, P. M., Benson, C. B., & Benacerraf, B.R. (2018). Atlas of ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology: a multimedia reference (Third edition. ed.). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Wolters Kluwer.

Frayne, J., & Pinchon, D. (2019). Anaemia in pregnancy. Australian Journal of General Practice, 48(3), 125-129.

Gilmartin, C. E., Vo-Tran, T.-H., & Leung, L. (2018). Complementary medicines in pregnancy: recommendations and information sources of healthcare professionals in Australia. International journal of clinical pharmacy, 40(2), 421-427.

Heitmann, K., & Schjøtt, J. (2020). SafeMotherMedicine: Aiming to Increase Women's Empowerment in Use of Medications During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 24(5), 531–536.

Higgins, C. (2013). Understanding Laboratory Investigations: A guide for nurses, midwives and healthcare professionals (3red ed.). West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell.

Hotham, N., & Hotham, E. (2015). Drugs in breastfeeding. Australian prescriber, 38(5), 156-159. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2015.056

Lee, M. (2017). Basic skills in interpreting laboratory data (Sixth edition. ed.). Bethesda, Maryland: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

Lowe, S.A., Bower, L., Lust, K., McMahon, L., Morton, M., North, R.A. Paech, M., & Said, J. (2014). Guidelines for the management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Society of Obstetric Medicine of Australia and New Zealand.

Martyn, J.-A., & Paliadelis, P. (2019). Safe medication administration: Perspectives from an appreciative inquiry of the practice of registered nurses in regional Australia. Nurse Education in Practice, 34, 111-116.

McDonald, F., & Then, S. (2019). Ethics, Law & Health Care: A guide for nurses and midwives. London: Red Globe Press.

Moles, R. J., & Stehlik, P. (2015). Pharmacy Practice in Australia. The Canadian journal of hospital pharmacy, 68(5), 418-426.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence: Antenatal care (2021), Intrapartum care for healthy women and babies (updated 2017), Postnatal care (2021). Available at: www.nice.org.uk/guidance.

Nursing and Midwifery Board Australia (NMBA). (2018). Code of conduct for midwives. Available at: www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au

Nursing and Midwifery Board Australia (NMBA). (2018). Midwifery Standards for Practice. Available at: www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au

O Day. R., & Snowden, L. (2016). Where to find information about drugs. Australia Prescriber 39(3). June, 88-95.

Staunton, P. & Chiarella, M. (2017). Law for nurses and midwives. (8th ed.). Sydney: Elsevier.

Useful databases for this unit:

             Lab Tests Online Au: Explaining Pathology

             www.labtestsonline.org.au/

             The Royal Melbourne Hospital Pathology Handbook

             www.thermh.org.au/health-professionals/pathology-handbook?label=F

             The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia: Pathology tests

              www.rcpa.edu.au/Manuals/RCPA-Manual/Pathology-Tests

 Useful databases accessed through the UC library portal at http://www.canberra.edu.au/library include; Web of Science, Web of Knowledge, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, ProQuest (Multiple databases), EBSCOhost (multiple database collection).
 

Learner engagement

This is a 3 credit unit and will require approximately 150 hours of work.

Inclusion and engagement

Please let your Unit Convenor know if you require further assistance.

Participation requirements

It is recommended students attend all classes.If a class cannot be attended students are expected to review the Canvas module and the online recording of the class.

Required IT skills

This unit involves face-to-face or online meetings in real time using the Virtual Room in your UCLearn teaching site. The Virtual Room allows you to communicate in real time with your lecturer and other students. To participate verbally, rather than just typing, you will need a microphone. For best audio quality we recommend a microphone and speaker headset. For more information and to test your computer, go to the Virtual Room in your UCLearn site and 'Join Course Room'. This will trigger a tutorial to help familiarise you with the functionality of the virtual room.

In-unit costs

You do not have to purchase texts for this unit but as busy students who are also involved in midwifery practice, you may find it most useful to do so. Texts recommended for other units in the Bachelor of Midwifery course are also suitable for this unit.   

Work placement, internships or practicums

None 

Additional information

Midwifery is a complex course because of both the theory and practice requirements, so please do not remain quiet if you are worried. The Unit Convenor and the Course Convenor are here to help you. We want you to become useful and connected midwives by learning in a supported environment, so please let us know if you feel quite challenged. Most issues can be sorted out quickly and easily if we know. We will also help with more complex problems.

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