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Rapid Midwifery

Sarah Snow

Principal Lecturer and Lead Midwife for Education Oxford Brookes University

 

Kate Taylor

Senior Lecturer University of Worcester

 

Jane Carpenter

Third year MSc pre-registration midwifery student Oxford Brookes University

 

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Preface

Rapid Midwifery is part of a series of revision guides that has the fundamental aim of supporting student learning. This book is primarily aimed at pre-registration and post-experience midwifery students who are in the first or second year of their programme. Both years are challenging, especially when the realities of a midwifery course become apparent and students are adapting to the inherent professional, academic and social demands of their programme. During the first year, the relentless approach of the first assessment can instil great stress in students and may be a pivotal decision point in their continuing forwards on the programme. This book is aimed at alleviating some of that stress. By offering bite-sized information that is thoroughly supported by current best evidence, this book will be a helpful revision tool in preparing for looming OSCEs and written examinations.

Rapid Midwifery has two distinct features. First, it is written in sections that closely mimic assessment criteria used in midwifery examinations. Although each university sets its own criteria, examinations are set to test broadly a student's knowledge of key physiology; principles of safe and effective midwifery care; relevant underpinning evidence and professional accountability. Second, each topic has been mapped against the 6Cs, using care as the base point. Although each aspect of midwifery that is addressed within this book can be mapped against a number of the 6Cs, we have decided to identify what we consider to be the most predominant and therefore most relevant ‘C’. We hope that this map will stimulate the reader to consider further their practice within the framework of compassionate midwifery care.

Rapid Midwifery is not a textbook, nor is it a complete and definitive guide to midwifery. It should be used wisely and strategically, alongside a wide range of other sources that explore the topics in greater breadth and depth. Rapid Midwifery is not designed to do anything more than support new midwifery students' revision and serve as an appetiser for the main course that is lifelong learning.

Sarah Snow
August 2015

Acknowledgement

We would like to extend our grateful thanks to Dr Martin Spurin, Programme Manager for the Youth, Community and Families degree programmes at University College Birmingham, who contributed the Conclusion to this book.

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Rapid midwifery compassionate care map – linked throughout the book with green highlighted text and adapted from the 6Cs: DH (2012) Compassion in Practice, Department of Health, London.