BA/BS in Midwifery

General Description: Objective(s) of a study programme: Objective(s) of a study programme: To prepare bachelors of midwifery - personal health care specialists with science-based knowledge and practical skills necessary for the comprehensive provision of woman and their families holistic needs, self-care and quality health care. Graduates who have completed the Bachelor of Midwifery study program will be able to work qualifiedly in personal health care institutions, in personal health care institutions of all levels: hospitals, polyclinics, state and private personal health care institutions, independently or in a team with other personal health care and/or social care specialists. Learning outcomes: 1.1 To have knowledge of midwifery – communication, initial consultation between the woman and the midwife, normal labour and birth, initiation and continuance of breastfeeding, women's health care, disease prevention, counselling and support in different age groups, newborn and infant care, and be able critically analyze and apply theories, principles and methods of professional practice. To have knowledge of personal and public health care principles, scientific research methods, the evolution of midwifery, principles of professional ethics, national and midwifery and health care health care policy, professional communication and collaboration, patients' rights in midwifery practice and research. 1.2 Be able to apply knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and other nature sciences, midwifery, obstetrics, gynecology and other biomedical sciences, social sciences and humanities to midwifery practice in order to systematically assess the health of women of all ages, the neonate, the infant, the family and community. 2.1 Be able to independently collect data from scientific midwifery research, analyze, interpret and summarize the results and present them in scientific journals, conferences. 2.2 Be able to conduct scientific research in midwifery and interdisciplinary fields, analyze and apply the results in professional practice, develop evidence-based practice, make evidence-based recommendations to professional associations of midwives, other health professionals, health policy makers to achieve optimal outcomes in midwifery practice, and make suggestions for the organization of work, and for the improvement of the availability and quality of midwifery services. 3.1 Be confident performing and sharing information about common antenatal screening tests, complete an initial consultation accurately ensuring women are at the center of care, work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals and external agencies. Be the first point of contact when seeking advice and/or information about being pregnant. 3.2 Be able to provide outpatient care to pregnant women, women in labor and gynecological patients, and to provide midwife-led care according to competence and/or in a team with an obstetrician-gynecologist, in the case of high perinatal risk, identify and safely manage appropriate emergency procedures. 3.3 Be able to provide care during childbirth: work in in partnership with women to facilitate a birth environment that supports their needs, be attentive to the comfort needs of women before, during and after the birth,determine the onset of labour, determine the wllbeing of women and their unborn babies, measure, assess and facilitate the progress of normal labour, support women and their partners in the birth of their babies, facilitate the mother and baby to remain together. 3.4 Be able to perform and assist instrumental examinations for instrumental examinations and therapeutic interventions, to advise and apply appropriate nursing and wound care measures, to assess and care for surgical wounds independently, to assist the physician performing obstetrical and gynecological procedures and operations, undertake medicinal product calculations correctly and safely, supply and administer medicinal products safely and in a timely manner. 3.5 Be able to organize and carry out family reproductive health care, perform and assist instrumental examinations on family planning and family education, develop parenting programmes and prepare women for childbirth; organize and carry out health education and self-care, advise and educate pregnant women, women in labor and their relatives respect social and cultural factors that may influence the decision to breastfeed, support women to breastfeed, , initiate breastfeeding practices, and provide assistance with breastfeeding recognize appropriate infant growth and development. 3.6 Recognize and initiate appropriate care for women's or newborn's health and/or life-threatening conditions; assess, organize and work as a team in the event of women's and fetal/newborn's emergencies; recognize women's emotional and mental disturbances, especially those occurring after childbirth. 3.7 Be able to competently communicate professional knowledge and practical experience to colleagues and to students as a teacher/mentor in professional practice. 4.1 Be attentive and share information that is clear, accurate and meaningful at a level which women, their partners and family can understand, bBe able to collaborate and lead in teamwork in the provision of midwifery care and care with colleagues, researchers, sharing information and practice skills. 4.2 Be able to organize and work as part of a team in an interdisciplinary team, with professional ethics and citizenship; develop new ideas and adapt to the new situations in midwifery practice. 4.3 Be able to express oneself fluently orally and in writing share information that is clear, accurate and meaningful at a level which women, their partners and family can understand, to communicate, to communicate effectively in the professional environment, the community and social media in Lithuanian and at least one foreign language, and to acknowledge the diversity of individuals and intercultural differences. 5.1 Be able to critically evaluate their own and their colleagues' professional performance, understand the importance of lifelong learning, and plan their professional activities and studies. 5.2 Be able to make independent decisions in midwifery practice, in practical and scientific activities, and be able to use national and international sources of information, different technologies and to deal appropriately with confidential information, keep accurate records. Activities of teaching and learning: Innovative learning methods are applied to midwifery studies, focused on the development of students' creativity, general and special competencies. Theoretical knowledge is acquired during lectures, seminars, and exercises. Practical skills are developed in simulator classes under the guidance of midwifery teachers at first, than during clinical practice students learn and develop clinical-practical knowledge, skills and abilities, and finally acquire the professional competence of a midwife. There is all the necessary equipment for a midwife. Professional midwifery practices are carried out in the clinical bases of the university. Methods of assessment of learning achievements: The cumulative assessment method is applied (oral survey, written survey, testing, presentation, case study, projects (individual and group), report, discussions, critical review of a scientific publication, etc.), the tasks performed by the student during the semester or the knowledge and abilities acquired during the semester are evaluated. The studies of each subject are completed with an exam or final test. Exams are written or written and oral. Students' knowledge during exams is evaluated from 1 (very bad) to 10 (excellent) points. It is important that the assessment is objective, carried out professionally, taking into account the accumulated knowledge about assessment and examination. The assessment is based on the study achievement assessment procedure approved by Vilnius University. Framework: Study subjects (modules), practical training: The midwifery bachelor's study program consists of: individual study subjects (modules) - 25 credits, general study course modules (75 credits) and special study course modules (50 credits), 90 credits for professional midwifery practice. Study subjects (modules), practical training: Sociology, management and health law 5 cr., Fundamentals of anatomy, histology and embryology 5 cr.; The basics of public health and dietetics 5 cr.; The basics of psychology and educational science 5 cr.; Life sciences I 10 cr.; Life sciences III 10 cr.; Psychiatry and family health 5 cr.; Mental health care and nursing practice 5 cr.; The practice of childbirth 5 cr.; Pediatria and education of families 5 cr.; The practice of newborn and child care 10 cr.; Critical care, anaesthesiology, and intensive midwifery 5 cr.; The practice of anaesthesia and intensive nursing 5 cr.; Professional clinical practice I 30 cr.; Formation of midwifery practical skills 10 cr.; Professional language 5 cr.; Infection control and epidemiology of infectious diseases 5 cr.; Pharmacology 5 cr.; Life sciences II 5 cr.; Introduction to midwifery and professional ethics 5 cr.; Sexual Health, Sexual education and preparing for family 5 cr.; Preparation for childbirth and parenthood 5 cr.; Genetics and rare diseases 5 cr.; Community Midwifery Practice 10 cr.; Postpartum midwifery practice 5 cr.; Health Law and Midwifery Administration 5 cr.; Gynecology and surgery practice 10 cr.; High Risk Pregnancy Obstetrics Practice 5 cr.; Professional clinical practice II 15 cr.; Preparation of the bachelor's thesis15 cr.; Health literacy 5 cr.; Health literacy, Midwifery Research Methodology and biostatistics 5 cr.; GUS; Subject (module) offered by other core academic departments of VU Specialisations: - Optional courses: In the midwifery study program, 25 credits consist of individual study subjects (modules). These are the freely chosen studies of a student studying in the first cycle or integrated study program, which are an integrated part of the study program, if this is not restricted by other legal acts of the Republic of Lithuania and/or international Distinctive features of a study programme: Modern and innovative teaching methods - simulator classes, the latest technology Access to professional activity or further study: Access to professional activity: After completing the four-year midwifery undergraduate study program, graduates acquire the professional qualification of a midwife. Graduates can work in all levels of personal health care institutions: hospitals, polyclinics, state and private personal health care institutions, social care institutions. Future employers - managers of health care institutions or their authorized persons, as social partners, are invited to the Midwifery study program committee, participate in its activities, solving academic and methodological issues Access to further study: After completing the bachelor's studies, you will have the opportunity to study in the Master's program of Midwifery in Lithuania and abroad