Midwifery

The education of students in the University Undergraduate Study Programme in Midwifery is fully aligned with the requirements of EU Directive 2005/36/EC and the Act on Regulated Professions.

Study Programme Outcomes

The outcomes of the study programme are as follows:

• relate the physiological and pathophysiological functions and behaviour of healthy and ill individuals, as well as the relationship between an individual’s health status and their physical and social environment 
• apply the sciences on which midwifery activities are based, particularly obstetrics and gynaecology 
• apply professional ethics and legislation in the field of midwifery 
• relate biological functions, anatomy and physiology in obstetrics and neonatology 
• assess the need for midwifery care, set goals and priorities, plan and implement appropriate procedures, and evaluate and, where necessary, modify the care plan 
• maintain midwifery documentation and evaluate achieved outcomes in midwifery care 
• use modern information and communication technologies in written, oral and electronic form 
• apply the principles of holistic midwifery care while respecting the individuality of the client/patient and applying a holistic and partnership-based approach 
• provide information and counselling related to family planning and the promotion and protection of reproductive health 
• diagnose pregnancy and assess its normal course, and perform the examinations necessary to monitor the development of a normal pregnancy 
• refer and counsel women regarding examinations required for the earliest possible diagnosis of high-risk pregnancies 
• conduct programmes for preparation for parenthood and comprehensive preparation for childbirth, including advice on hygiene and nutrition 
• provide care and assistance to the mother during labour and monitor the condition of the fetus in utero using appropriate clinical methods and technical means 
• conduct spontaneous deliveries, including episiotomy where necessary, and, in emergencies, breech deliveries 
• recognise signs indicating irregularities in the mother or child that require referral to a physician and medical assistance, and, where necessary, undertake the required emergency measures in the absence of a physician, in particular manual removal of the placenta followed by manual examination of the uterus 
• examine and care for the newborn, taking all necessary initiatives where required and performing emergency resuscitation 
• provide care for the mother and monitor her progress during the postpartum period, and provide all necessary advice regarding infant care in order to enable her to ensure the child’s optimal development 
• communicate independently, professionally and ethically with the patient 
• use professional and scientific literature as part of lifelong learning 
• adapt competencies in accordance with labour market needs 

Organisation of the Study Programme and Teaching

Teaching is delivered through lectures, seminars, practical exercises, demonstrations and practical work. In general medical subjects, students become familiar with the structure and function of the human body. In preclinical courses, the mechanisms of disease development, their causes and the modes of action of medicines are studied. In clinical medical courses, diseases are studied, including their recognition, prevention and treatment. During the programme, students are also introduced to the basics of statistics, informatics and scientific research methodology. A large number of courses cover specific aspects of midwifery care.

Teaching is organised by semester, with the possibility of taking the first examination date no earlier than 14 days after completion of teaching in a particular course, while the remaining examination periods are organised in January in the winter semester and in June in the summer semester.

Upon completion of the programme, students defend a final thesis.

Knowledge and skills in midwifery care are acquired during clinical teaching, that is, through practical exercises within individual Midwifery Care courses, as well as through Midwifery Practice courses conducted during the summer months, i.e. at the end of each academic year. For the purpose of acquiring basic midwifery care skills, and before undertaking practical training in a real hospital environment, practical classes are held in the Midwifery Skills Laboratory.

The primary teaching base for clinical practical training in the Undergraduate Midwifery programme is the Clinic for Gynaecology and Obstetrics of the Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka.

With the aim of improving the quality of education of bachelors of midwifery, particularly in the area of acquiring midwifery care skills in accordance with Directive 2005/36/EC, the Faculty of Health Studies of the University of Rijeka has signed cooperation agreements with many healthcare institutions across the country, and cooperation may be extended to other cities when necessary. At present, these include:

• University Hospital Centre Sestre milosrdnice, Zagreb 
• General Hospital Zabok and Croatian Veterans Hospital 
• University Hospital Centre Osijek 
• General Hospital of Šibenik-Knin County 
• County Hospital Čakovec 
• General Hospital “Dr Tomislav Bardek”, Koprivnica 
• County General Hospital Požega 
• General Hospital Pula 
• County General Hospital Vinkovci 
• General Hospital “Dr Josip Benčević”, Slavonski Brod 
• General Hospital Karlovac 
• General Hospital “Dr Ivo Pedišić”, Sisak 
• General Hospital Gospić 
• General Hospital “Dr Anđelko Višić”, Bjelovar 
• National Memorial Hospital “Dr Juraj Navro”, Vukovar 
• County General Hospital Našice 
• General Hospital Varaždin 

Since students from all regions of the Republic of Croatia enrol in the University Undergraduate Study Programme in Midwifery at the Faculty of Health Studies of the University of Rijeka, part of the practical training, especially Midwifery Practice in the summer months, may be completed in regional hospitals, that is, in institutions located near the students’ place of residence.

This also enables practical classes to be delivered in small groups, and even individually, which contributes to better acquisition of clinical skills and preparation for the labour market, while also reducing study costs and strengthening professional ties with the local community.

Aware of the fact that many hospitals, through continuously open recruitment procedures for bachelors of midwifery, are unable to meet staffing needs, this may also create opportunities for recruiting personnel and securing employment in the healthcare institutions that participated in the education process, as well as contributing to the return of graduates to the local communities from which they originally came to study in Rijeka,