Studying midwifery at York

Programme philosophy

Note: This handbook uses the word 'women’ throughout. This should be taken to include people who do not identify as women but are pregnant or who have given birth

The central tenet of the curriculum is the philosophy of skilled companionship. Student midwives should aspire to the role of skilled companion (Campbell 1984), accompanying women on a journey to parenthood whilst recognising the transient nature of the relationship.

In recognition of the students’ transition from lay person to professional, the educational philosophy reflects Carper’s (1978) fundamental ways of knowing. The student’s learning experience supports the process of knowledge acquisition throughout the programme recognising the influence of personal experience, values and beliefs on the development of the student’s professional identity.

The programme provides academic and clinical education, to equip the qualifying student with the skills to work in partnership with women and their families, and to offer safe, contemporary evidence-based practice. The role of skilled companion combines these key elements with the development of effective interpersonal skills to provide sensitive, compassionate, woman-centred care.

For most women, pregnancy, birth and parenthood are normal life events through which they should be able to exercise choice and control. For some, this is a challenging time which might threaten both their own and their babies’ health and wellbeing. As advocates for women and the proponents of normal birth, student midwives should act in collaboration with others to ensure the safety and wellbeing of women and new-borns through the provision of responsive and effective midwifery care for women with diverse needs.

In order to be responsive to the evolving, complex nature of contemporary society and meeting individual need, student midwives should understand and respect the unique circumstances of each woman within her social context. As such, the midwife’s role in meeting the needs of the public health agenda involves improving the health and wellbeing of women and their families, and reducing health inequalities 

Women are central to the planning, provision and evaluation of their maternity care taking into account their diversity, hopes and expectations. The programme philosophy reflects the need for student midwives to develop their role as practitioners, partners and leaders in shaping the future of maternity services (NHS England, 2016). To achieve this, women need access to high quality information about the services that are available to them in a form that is meaningful to them as individuals. Underpinning this process is the need for student midwives to be able to identify and appraise appropriate evidence, to keep abreast of new innovations, and maintain and develop their knowledge and clinical skills through lifelong learning.

Skilled companionship facilitates the development of trusting, respectful, reciprocal relationships between midwives, women and their families. Thus, the programme is designed to enable students to achieve the role of skilled companion, be eligible for professional registration as a midwife, equipped for contemporary practice and fit for academic award.