UWA Medical and ECU Midwifery students working together
Edith Cowan University's (ECU) Ward for a Day program has entered a new phase of interprofessional learning, welcoming medical students from the University of Western Australia (UWA) into its immersive midwifery simulation program.
Designed to replicate a hospital maternity ward, the initiative provides ECU midwifery students with hands-on experience in managing pregnancy, birth and early infancy scenarios. The inclusion of UWA medical students adds a valuable layer of collaboration, enabling authentic clinical teamwork that mirrors contemporary maternity care. Taking the lead in developing the project has been ECUs Emma Richie, Midwifery Lecturer and Di Bloxsome, Associate Dean for Midwifery and from UWA Dr Kate Jutsum and Dr Tithi Kulkarni.
Students engage with the challenges and rewards of maternity care in a safe, supportive environment using high-fidelity manikins, reconfigured ward-like spaces, and video-based reflective learning. The hands-on program enables them to practice and refine clinical skills, build confidence in decision-making, strengthen communication with patients, families, and colleagues, and enter real-world placements with greater clinical readiness.
ECU's School of Nursing Midwifery Director of Simulation Learning Dr Hugh Davies said the collaboration offers students a unique opportunity to learn with, and from, each other before entering clinical settings.
"Medical students and midwifery students working together in realistic maternity ward scenarios builds mutual understanding, respect and trust - exactly what we want to see in practice," Dr Davies said.
Ward for a Day simulation exercise
"The inclusion of medical students alongside our midwifery students reflects the realities of contemporary healthcare - maternity care is a team effort. This initiative ensures our graduates are well prepared to work across disciplines to deliver the best possible outcomes for women and their babies."
The Ward for a Day program is offered at ECU's Joondalup and South West campuses.
Students rotate through shifts as registered nurses or midwives, working with simulated patients in lifelike scenarios.
