Advanced Health Assessment, Diagnostics and Investigations for Midwives

Course aim

Students will develop advanced health assessment and diagnostic and investigations knowledge and skills required for the eligible midwife role.

Course content

The course will focus on history taking and general examination skills, diagnostic testing, differential diagnosis and communication of assessment findings (written and verbal).  This will include physical examination, mental health, social and environmental assessment.  Students will have the opportunity to investigate multiple factors affecting maternal, fetal and neonatal health outcomes such as the impact of age, culture and public health factors.  The focus will be on the integration of comprehensive clinical assessment with decision making about the diagnostic options for optimal management of the women and her baby.  Generic assessment of body systems including features in cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, cognitive and developmental, abdominal, alimentary and nutritional, genitourinary, musculoskeletal integument and psychosocial areas will be covered.  The legal, ethical and financial responsibilities in using diagnostic investigation will also be explored.  Clinical pathways, referral, collaboration, quality assurance, professional and therapeutic networks, health promotion and teaching.

Textbook(s)

Talley N & O'Connor S 2010, Clinical Examination: A systematic guide to physical diagnosis, 6th edition, Elsevier Australia, Chatswood

Sullivan, A, Kean, L and Dryer, A 2009, Midwives guide to antenatal investigations, Churchill, Livingstone

Prerequisite(s)

Nil

Corequisite(s)

Nil

Teaching method

Note: These components may or may not be scheduled in every study period. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Assessment

Comprehensive clinical assessment, Critical analysis of assessment practice, Objective, structured, clinical examination (OSCE)

Fees

EFTSL*: 0.250
Commonwealth Supported program (Band 1A)
To determine the fee for this course as part of a Commonwealth Supported program, go to:
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Fee-paying program for domestic and international students
International students and students undertaking this course as part of a postgraduate fee paying program must refer to the relevant program home page to determine the cost for undertaking this course.

Non-award enrolment
Non-award tuition fees are set by the university. To determine the cost of this course, go to:
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Not all courses are available on all of the above bases, and students must check to ensure that they are permitted to enrol in a particular course.

* Equivalent Full Time Study Load. Please note: all EFTSL values are published and calculated at ten decimal places. Values are displayed to three decimal places for ease of interpretation.