International Clinical Placement Policy

In considering International Clinical Placements, Midwives College of Utah expects that student midwives will show cultural humility and sensitivity in all their interactions with clients, regardless of locality. We further expect that clinical field faculty (preceptors) and sites approved by Midwives College of Utah will be accountable, honest and demonstrate the utmost respect for all clients, student midwives and practicing midwives, in accordance with the Midwives Model of Care, which is and has always been the standard we set for midwifery education. Transparency, cultural appropriateness and primacy of client care are expected of all clinical sites, regardless of location.

Students planning to pursue Clinical Placement outside of their country of residence*:

1. Must fulfill the normal requirements for students in clinical placement (enrolled in CLNC 100, accepted to the Clinical Program, etc.)

2. Must have completed SOSC 150 (Cultural Competency) with the International Clinical Study module (requiring 10-20 hours of class work) before leaving for their clinical placement. For students planning international placements before May 1, 2013, speak to the Clinical Dean about accommodations for this requirement.

3. Must meet with the Clinical Dean or a clinical department staff member before and after their international placement to discuss appropriate behavior in placement and debrief their experience.

*Traveling between the US and Canada will not be considered “outside their country of residence” due to the strong cultural similarities between the two nations in this case. If you are traveling to a country you feel is culturally very similar to your home country, you can ask for an exclusion of this requirement.

Clinical Field Faculty (Preceptors) or Clinical Sites outside of the United States and Canada:

1. Must fulfill the typical requirements for clinical field faculty and sites. All documentation must be in English or translated into English by a reliable source.

2. Preceptors or site directors must complete an interview explaining how they work with local birth attendants, respect cultural norms, practice informed consent for care (especially care provided by visiting student midwives), how possible conflict between student/preceptor or student/student will be resolved, how they recognize autonomy of their clients (including offering choice and alternatives), how they measure their accountability to the community they serve and how students will be trained on cultural differences during their placement.

We reserve the right to revoke approval of a clinical site or preceptor at any time if they are found to be practicing outside the Midwives Model of Care, or showing disrespect for a client, student or midwife's culture, color, religion, education, socioeconomic status, or other difference. We encourage students who witness such behavior, whether in a single instance or in systemic ways, to prioritize the rights of clients and midwifery as a whole over their individual needs for development and learning, and to speak up about injustice, addressing concerns directly to their field instructors and to the clinical department with an eye toward improvement and strengthening midwifery culture as a whole.