Studying midwifery at York

Programme philosophy

Master of Midwifery in Midwifery (MMid Midwifery)

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 philosophy underpinning the MMid Midwifery programme is strongly aligned to contemporary, evidence-informed, national and global conceptualisations of the profession. Midwifery has been defined as:  ‘skilled, knowledgeable, and compassionate care for childbearing women, newborn infants, and families across the continuum throughout pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and the early weeks of life. Core characteristics include optimising normal biological, psychological, social, and cultural processes of reproduction and early life; timely prevention and management of complications; consultation with and referral to other services; respect for women’s individual circumstances and views; and working in partnership with women to strengthen women’s own capabilities to care for themselves and their families’ (Renfrew et al 2014 p 1130).

This evidence-informed definition, and the landmark framework for quality maternal and newborn care (Figure 1) articulated in The Lancet Series on midwifery (Renfrew et al 2014), both underpin the NMC’s Future midwife standards  (NMC 2020), against which our BMid (Hons) Midwifery is approved. These ambitious and demanding  Standards of proficiency for midwives (NMC 2019) are founded on the values and philosophy of the Framework for quality maternal and newborn care (Renfrew et al 2014), and are aligned to the professional standards of practice and behaviour stated in The Code (NMC 2018). They are also in harmony with the UK Baby Friendly Initiative standards for universities (UK BFI 2022), against which our midwifery education provision is successfully accredited. 

Our MMid Midwifery philosophy is inclusive and values the role of higher education (HE) for the public good, and has therefore been designed using the principles and values of a Connected Curriculum framework (Fung 2017) (See Figure 2). This approach has research and evidence as its core, and is thus well suited to an evidence-informed profession such as midwifery, operating within environments of teaching and research excellence within a Russell Group University. The MMid Midwifery is also strongly aligned to our University strategy as a university for the public good (University of York 2021), valuing midwifery and the efforts and impact of our students and alumni locally, nationally and globally. 

The Connected Curriculum framework has learning through research and enquiry at its heart, sharing excellence already occurring within HE institutions whilst also acting as fertile ground for creative inspiration to enrich the curriculum and student experience (Fung 2017). Six values-based dimensions surround the core, enabling connectivity to the discipline of midwifery in the case of our MMid Midwifery curriculum. 

Our MMid Midwifery philosophy challenges students. From a central core of research and enquiry, values based theory and practice are blended through real world experience, leading to careers founded on scholarship, collegiality, leadership and excellence. Ultimately, our MMid Midwifery philosophy seeks to educate midwifery graduates who will positively impact women, families and communities throughout their professional lives. 

References

• Fung, D. (2017.) A connected curriculum for Higher Education. London: UCL Press/open access PFD [Online]. Available from: https://www.uclpress.co.uk/products/86213 [Accessed 11 March 2022].

• Nursing & Midwifery Council. (2020). My Future, My Midwife. [Online]. Available from: https://www.nmc.org.uk/about-us/our-role/who-we-regulate/midwifery/education/

[Accessed 11 March 2022].

• Nursing & Midwifery Council. (2018). The code. [Online] Available from: https://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/code/ [Accessed 11 March 2022].

• Nursing & Midwifery Council. (2019) Standards of proficiency for midwives. [Online] Available from: https://www.nmc.org.uk/globalassets/sitedocuments/standards/standards-of-proficiency-for-midwives.pdf [Accessed 11 March 2022].

• Renfrew, M. et al (2014). Midwifery and quality care: findings from a new evidence-informed framework for maternal and newborn care The Lancet, 384 (9948) pp 1129-1145 https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140-6736(14)60789-3.pdf [Accessed 11 March 2022].

• University of York. (2021.) University strategy 2030 A university for public good. [Online]. Available from: https://www.york.ac.uk/about/mission-strategies/vision-for-york/ [Accessed 11 March 2022].

• UNICEF UK BFI. (2019). Guide to the UK Baby Friendly Initiative university standards. [Online]. Available at at: https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/07/Guide-to-the-Unicef-UK-Baby-Friendly-Initiative-University-Standards.pdf [Accessed 11 March 2022].