The Challenge of Implementing a New Undergraduate Midwifery Course Within a Three University Consortium

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Colleen Rolls
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Australian Catholic University, Fitzroy VIC

Carmel Seibold
Associate Dean, Research, Research Training and Partnerships, Faculty of Health Science, Australian Catholic University, St Patrick's Campus, Melbourne VIC

Abstract

The Werna Naloo Bachelor of Midwifery Consortium was formed between three universities in Victoria in 2000 to deliver a three-year Bachelor of Midwifery course.

This paper describes the challenges experienced in implementing a multi-university consortium course, some of the steps taken to address course issues, as well as identifying the positive aspects of working within a consortium. Challenges related to administration of the course within the three universities and on-line subject delivery.

Steps taken to address challenges included establishment of a committee structure, including a curriculum implementation committee, ongoing dialogue between the course coordinators involved and being pro active in ensuring smooth delivery of the on-line content of the course.

Some of the concerns expressed by the academics involved in the consortium reflected the findings of other reports of consortium education courses. These were insufficient time for ongoing sharing of ideas because of geographical distance resulting in some overlap of subject content, as well as the time taken to travel between institutions for meetings. Consortium benefits were the collegial sharing of ideas and resources, and the conversion of competition into alliance.