Advanced Practice (Midwifery)

Module code: 7KNIM725
Credit level: 7

Project work continues for 12 months, with 30 hours assigned for contact with academic staff. Additional time is needed for data collection during the course of the student's work. The relevant interests and expertise of both students and supervisors determine the nature of projects. Careful design and measurement is emphasised. In addition to individual supervision, regular seminars and tutorials are offered to encourage and support students and these sessions are used by the students to present ideas for their projects and to facilitate discussion. A report of no more than 20,000 words must be submitted. It should include critical evaluation of the existing literature in the area and an appropriate presentation of the student's work. Dissertations are assessed and students may be required to attend a viva voce examination. There are four options available.

Module code: 7KNIM110
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 30
Semester:  Full-year 
Assessment:  coursework 

This course aims to equip you with the skills and knowledge required to identify best evidence for your practice. It focuses on searching for, appraising and synthesising evidence from health care research. You are introduced to a range of electronic databases for accessing evidence and the principles of systematic review. Learning is facilitated through lectures, workshops and a student-directed search for evidence to address a question emerging from your own practice. Issues surrounding research implementation and evidence at the level of the individual practitioner and the health care organisation are addressed. Assessment is by means of a review of literature which answers a focussed question utilising explicit methods.

Module code: 7KNIM141
Credit level: 7

In England, the policy landscape for midwifery is dominated by two major and recent policy drivers affecting how services are delivered for pregnant women and their families. They are Maternity Matters (DH, 2007) and the NHS Next Stage Review High Quality Care for All (DH, 2008). Particularly, Maternity Matters states the commitment to provide choice, access and continuity of care in a safe service. Similarly, the Next Stage Review advocates high quality care with its woman-centred and clinically driven intentions based on the message consistently heard from women that they want greater choice and a more personal experience, with care provided by a named midwife throughout pregnancy, birth and the child-bearing period.Internationally, similar shifts in policy and practice are occurring, indicating a need to strengthen clinical leadership in midwifery. In order to support the development of midwifery leaders it is intended that this module will reflect these current drivers and enable students to:

1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the current evidence base for models of maternity service delivery, and be able to critically appraise the organisation of midwifery and obstetric care
2. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the role of world class commissioning and providers of maternity services and the role of midwives in ensuring high quality services
3. Critically appraise the evidence base for, and the implementation of skill mix within maternity services and demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the leadership and change management skills required to ensure the delivery of high quality midwifery services
4. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the importance of audit and the measurement of the quality of care within maternity servicese
5. Critically appraise the evidence base of midwifery and obstetric practice
6. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of maternity policy creation and implementation, and critically appraise their evidence base

References
Department of Health 2007: Maternity Matters: Choice, access and continuity of care in a safe service.
Department of Health, 2008, A High Quality Workforce: NHS Next Stage Review, June 2008
Hofmeyer G J H et al, 2008 A Cochrane Pocketbook Pregnancy and Childbirth, Wiley Cochrane Series

Module code: 7KNIM700
Credit level: 7

This introductory course aims to provide students a broad knowledge of research approaches and techniques used in healthcare research. It intends to promote students understanding of, and enhance skills for critiquing research articles. Further it aims to promote the development of skills required to undertake a research-based project in the future. The course is essential for students who have not previously studied research methods or who would benefit from revision of this knowledge. It will consider philosophical bases for research, traditions and features of qualitative and quantitative research designs, data collection tools used in qualitative and qauntitative research and analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data. This course is a precursor for the second research methods course, Issues in the Conduct of Healthcare Research.

Module code: 7KNIM701
Credit level: 7

This course aims to raise awareness of issues that arise inthe conduct of research, from writing research proposals to the publication of findings. It will be useful for students embarking on a research or service development project, for new  researchers wishing to develop their skills, and for healthcare professionals seeking to evaluate healthcare services. Issues covered in the course include gaining funding, managing research schedules, involving users in the research process, working with external agencies, addressing ethical and political issues in research, and managing aspects of the data collection process - for example overcoming poor response rates and managing group dynamics in focus group research. Learning is facilitated through lectures, recommended reading and seminars. The seminars provide a series of How to... sessions that facilitate application of concepts learnt during the Principal Methods for Healthcare Research course. For example: How to develop an interview schedule, or How to run a focus group. These seminars enable students to gain a practical understanding of the research process.

Module code: 7KNIM707
Credit level: 7

This course will enable students to critically appraise and utilise organisational and management theories in order to facilitate the development of individuals and groups. Examples of this include continuing professional development, motivation, the management of change and manpower planning.