New Parenting, Maternal and Infant Health

DEPARTMENT OF OB/GYN, PEDIATRICS, AND FAMILY MEDICINE
NEW PARENTING, MATERNAL, AND INFANT HEALTH
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV
PRECEPTOR: Emily Nease, MD and Elizabeth Cohen, MSW, LICSW
DURATION: 4 weeks - weekly meeting to be arranged by preceptors
OFFERED: In house elective for students becoming parents during the fourth year.  By arrangement with preceptor.  (WVU medical students only)
MAXIMUM ENROLLMENT: By arrangement with preceptor
STATUS: Elective

OBJECTIVES:
Following completion of the elective the student will be able to: 

1. Develop enhanced parent-child bonding skills.
2. Discuss changes during the post-partum period.
3. Discuss practical/applicable information about the challenges of the early infancy period.
4. Discuss attitudes related to childbirth new parenting.
5. Discuss attitudes related to being a consumer of health care versus being a provider of health care.
6. Discuss early postpartum and infancy experiences.
7. Update knowledge about early childhood development.
8. Review recent articles pertaining to maternal, fetal, newborn health, and parenting roles.
9. Discuss parenting styles/attitudes with partners for effective/consistent parenting.

METHODS TO ACHIEVE OBJECTIVES:

1. The student will participate in a weekly meeting with preceptor(s).
2. The student will read 4 articles on pregnancy; adoption; maternal/paternal concerns/roles; the postpartum period; neonatal/infant care. Each week the student will present 1 critically reviewed article to the group. Submission of the proposed article must be 1 week in advance and approved by the preceptor.
3. The student will participate in weekly discussions of challenges and concerns of being a new parent and child raising.
4. The student will maintain a journal/diary of experiences, new knowledge and attitudes regarding the birth/adoption experience. The journal entries should occur at least 3 times a week when this rotation begins. The student will turn in the journal at the last class and it will be returned.
5. The student will provide written evaluation/feedback of the course regarding whether objectives were met and how the course could be improved. This information will be shared with the faculty.

EXAMINATION PROCEDURES AND EVALUATION CRITERIA:

Based on attendance, weekly participation in small group, discussion of articles, and completion of journal/diary.

PRE-ROTATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Contact preceptor(s) at least 4 months prior to the scheduled rotation start date.  Please provide 3-4 specific maternal/infant health topics of interest.

Contact information: ecohen@wvumedicine.org and enease@hsc.wvu.edu.