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Midwives’ views of caseload midwifery – comparing the caseload and non-caseload midwives’ opinions. A cross-sectional survey of Australian midwives
Newton, Michelle Dawson, Kate Forster, Della McLachlan, Helen
Newton, Michelle
Dawson, Kate
Forster, Della
McLachlan, Helen
Abstract
Background
Midwife-led continuity of care has substantial benefits for women and infants and positive outcomes for midwives, yet access to these models remains limited. Caseload midwifery is associated with professional satisfaction and lower burnout, but also impacts on work-life boundaries. Few studies have explored caseload midwifery from the perspective of midwives working in caseload models compared to those in standard care models, understanding this is critical to sustainability and upscaling.
Aim
To compare views of caseload midwifery – those working in caseload models and those in standard care models in hospitals with and without caseload.
Methods
A national cross-sectional survey of midwives working in Australian public hospitals providing birthing services.
Findings
Responses were received from 542/3850 (14%) midwives from 111 hospitals – 20% worked in caseload, 39% worked in hospitals with caseload but did not work in the model, and 41% worked in hospitals without caseload. Regardless of exposure, midwives expressed support for caseload models, and for increased access to all women regardless of risk. Fifty percent of midwives not working in caseload expressed willingness to work in the model in the future. Flexibility, autonomy and building relationships were positive influencing factors, with on-call work the most common reason midwives did not want to work in caseload.
Conclusions
There was widespread support for and willingness to work in caseload. The findings suggest that the workforce could support increasing access to caseload models at existing and new caseload sites. Exposure to the model provides insight into understanding how the model works, which can positively or negatively influence midwives’ views.
Keywords
caseload midwifery, midwives’ views, sustainability, maternity model of care
Date
2021
Type
Journal article
Journal
Women and Birth
Book
Volume
34
Issue
1
Page Range
e47-e56
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled