AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to:

• Provide students with foundational knowledge regarding the organization of the operating theatre, outlining the areas of competence, autonomy, and responsibility associated with the midwifery profession.

• Introduce students to the principles of maintaining safety in the operating room through the application of WHO guidelines.

• Offer a comprehensive understanding of the roles and competencies of midwives within the surgical setting, including positions such as scrub nurse, circulating midwife, and anesthesia assistant.

• Develop students' ability to identify and perform various handwashing techniques, sterile gowning for themselves and the surgical team, and the preparation of surgical tables.

• Enable students to acquire knowledge of sterilization and sanitization procedures within the operating theatre.

• Provide the foundational knowledge of obstetric/gynecological surgical instruments and the sequence of steps involved in the most common surgical procedures.

• Accurately describe the operational domains of the midwife within the surgical setting.

• Recognize the autonomy and responsibilities of the midwife, as well as the significance of teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration, as emphasized in the WHO guidelines for ensuring safety in the operating room.

• Identify and distinguish various surgical instruments.

• Describe in detail the surgical steps and instrumentation used in procedures such as: uterine cavity revision (postpartum and post-abortion), manual removal of the placenta, cervical cerclage, complex vaginal-perineal suturing, and caesarean section.

Expected Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Accurately describe the operational domains of the midwife within the surgical setting.

• Recognize the autonomy and responsibilities of the midwife, as well as the significance of teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration, as emphasized in the WHO guidelines for ensuring safety in the operating room.

• Identify and distinguish various surgical instruments.

• Describe in detail the surgical steps and instrumentation used in procedures such as: uterine cavity revision (postpartum and post-abortion), manual removal of the placenta, cervical cerclage, complex vaginal-perineal suturing, and caesarean section.

• Understand the principles of post-operative care during the first two hours following surgery.

TEACHING METHODS

The course is delivered through face-to-face lectures in which the instructor will present the theoretical content. Students will be encouraged to engage in open and constructive discussions.

Small-scale simulations will be conducted to practice sterile gowning techniques (both self-gowning and assisting surgeons) and the preparation of surgical tables.

A video projector and computer will be used for PowerPoint presentations.

Students with valid certifications for Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), disabilities, or other special educational needs are required to contact both the instructor and the school's disability coordinator at the beginning of the course.

This is to agree on any necessary teaching accommodations that, while respecting the course objectives, take into account individual learning needs and styles.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

1. Organization of the operating theatre

2. WHO guidelines for maintaining safety in the operating room

3. Types of handwashing techniques, sterile gowning, and preparation of surgical tables

4. Roles and competencies of the midwife within the operating theatre

5. Sterilization and sanitization procedures in the operating room

6. Surgical instruments

7. Surgical steps and instrumentation for: uterine cavity revision, manual removal of the placenta, cervical cerclage, complex vaginal-perineal suturing, and caesarean section

8. Overview of immediate post-operative care

This course contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4 of the UN 2030 Agenda:
To ensure inclusive, equitable, and quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Consultation of the lecture slides provided by the instructor

• Trattando di scienza ed arte della professionalità ostetrica – Volume 4, W. Costantini, Piccin, 2021

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Please refer to the lesson calendar for the first semester of the second year, with classes beginning in November.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of an oral assessment with three open-ended questions covering the entire course content. The final grade for the subject will be calculated as the average of the marks obtained in the three responses.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral exam is designed to evaluate the student’s understanding and knowledge of the roles and competencies of the midwife within the operating theatre.

The assessment consists of:

• One question on the organization of the operating theatre

• One question on the roles or competencies of the midwife in the surgical setting

• One question on one of the surgical procedures studied during the course

The final grade will be based on the average of the marks awarded for each of the three questions.