FOI_24-325 Maternity teaching in BSc Paramedic Science
Date of response: 17 December 2024
We have now considered your Freedom of Information request of 01 December 2024 for the following information:
Under the Freedom of Information Act, I would like to request the following information:
In the BSc (Hons) three-year Paramedic Science course at your university, what is the current provision for the maternity curriculum for the current academic year?
The questions are below:
Question 1. What length of time is allocated to the maternity curriculum? (This can be either in hours, or the number of credits the module is worth).
Our response:
Approximately 13 hours total.
Question 2. What is the professional grouping of the teacher/lecturer who delivers this module? (Paramedic, midwife, Allied Health Professional, academic, or other).
Our response:
Midwives.
Question 3. What level is this taught at? (Four, five or six).
Our response:
Five.
Question 4. What does the module/curriculum consist of content-wise? (Anatomical and physiological changes in pregnancy, expectations of maternity care, complications of pregnancy and fetal loss, birth in the community, complications of birth in the community e.g. maternal emergencies, newborn life support, clinical scenarios, OSCEs/opportunities for simulation, other).
Our response:
Obstetrics Physiology (2 hours),
Physiological Birth Theory (1 hour),
Obstetric skills – physiological birth practical (3 hours),
Obstetrics complications theory (4 hrs),
Obstetrics complications practical (3 hours).
Question 5. What pedagogical approach is taken for delivering this content? (Lectures, simulations, workshops, guest speakers, pre-sessional reading, e-learning, group work, practical skills sessions, case studies, other).
Our response:
A combination of synchronous in-person and online lectures, as well as simulation-based education.
Question 6. Is the content/module assessed?
Our response:
Yes. Content/modules are assessed.
Question 7. If this is assessed, how? (Simulations, OSCEs, essays, case studies, other).
Our response:
As part of examinations.
Question 8. Do your students get any placements in maternity settings?
Our response:
No.
Question 9. Are there any associated competencies? If so, what are they?
Our response:
Yes. Below are the relevant sections from the College of Paramedics 6th Ed of the Paramedic Curriculum.
UEA Paramedic science is endorsed against the previous version of the CoP curriculum and we will be seeking endorsement against the revised curriculum in due course.
Whilst we are not currently officially endorsed against the criteria below that relate to Obstetrics, we are confident that our programme enables the following competencies in our learners.
C1.3.13 Describe and analyse the physiological process and stages of pregnancy and birth and evaluate their progress in practice.
C1.3.14 Describe and demonstrate facilitation of normal birth in the out of hospital environment, supporting choice, and addressing the psychosocial needs of the birthing parent and family.
C1.3.15 Describe and demonstrate management of the 3rd stage of labour, overseeing the safety of the birthing parent and the transition to extrauterine life for the neonate, including optimal cord clamping and thermoregulation.
C1.3.16 Recognise, distinguish, and formulate management plans for maternal conditions presenting in pregnancy and the year after birth, including sepsis, thromboembolism, maternal mental health, and cardiac arrest.
C1.3.17 Recognise, distinguish, and formulate management plans for conditions presenting in early pregnancy including miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and pre-eclampsia.
C1.3.18 Identify, assess, and formulate management plans for obstetric complications during pregnancy including eclampsia and ante-partum haemorrhage.
C1.3.19 Identify, distinguish, and formulate management plans for obstetric emergencies during labour including cord prolapse, upright vaginal breech birth, shoulder dystocia, and post-partum haemorrhage.
C1.3.20 Describe and demonstrate Newborn Life Support (NLS) including pre-term and full-term babies.