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MID504 - First Nations Health: Women and Families

2025

Sector

Higher Education

Discipline

Midwifery

Credit Points

Equivalent Units

Prerequisites

Incompatible

Assumed Knowledge

Unit Description

This unit assists students' understanding and awareness of the inequities and social justice issues related to the health of First Nations' people. An emphasis will be placed on understanding the experiences of Australian First Nations women, families, and communities and the ongoing impacts of colonisation. Students will explore strengths-based, solution-focused, strategies to optimise First Nations women's, maternal and newborn health especially for those living in rural and remote areas of Australia. The effects of women being evacuated from their local community for birth, as well as strategies to reduce associated negative impacts will be discussed. Students will be given the opportunity to reflect on their own personal and professional beliefs and attitudes when working with First Nations women and their families.

This unit is only available to students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma of Midwifery (TWMID1).

Important Information

This unit is only available to students enrolled in the TMIDW1 Graduate Diploma of Midwifery.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1.	Analyse the impact of colonisation and systemic racism, social, cultural, and economic factors on First Nations Australian women's, maternal and newborn health.
2.	Critically reflect on, acknowledge, and address individual racism, their own biases, assumptions, stereotypes, privilege and prejudices and the impact of these on providing holistic midwifery care, free of bias and racism.
3.	Critically evaluate the importance of self-determined decision-making, partnership and collaboration in maternity and women¿s health care which is driven by each individual woman, her family and community (as identified and negotiated by the woman herself).
4.	Advocate for Australian First Nations governance, the role of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) and privileging the voice of First Nations Australian women as a strategy to reduce inequities that negatively impact their rights and dignity.
5.	Discuss strategies to enable the implementation of safe 'Birthing on Country' services for Australian First Nations women.

Assessment Overview

	Assessment Task	Value (of total mark)	Related Learning Outcome/s
1.	Critical reflection (500 words)	10%	1,2
2.	Presentation (10 slides (max) & speaker notes 750 - 1,000 words)	40%	3,4,5
3.	Discussion paper (2500 words)	50%	1,2,3,4,5

Unit Availability

Year	Semester	Att Mode	Location	Learning Method	Timetable*
2025	Semester 1	External	External Studies	OLR	View

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OLR: Internet access is required for this unit as students are required to access study materials provided on-line through Learnline. Please log into Learnline on the first day of each teaching period. For more information about Learnline, please click here.

Critical Dates

Important Dates for Students

Fee Information:
Fees and Payments
Student Services and Amenities Fees
2025 Domestic Unit Fees (PDF)