Transition to Midwifery-Led Care in Rural Australia: Effects on Practice, Job Satisfaction and Sustainability
Emma Kellock, Mikayla Sheahan, Dr Robyn Ramadan
Background:
With the closure of many maternity units in rural Australia over the past two decades, many women face the challenge of travelling longer distances for maternity care. To mitigate these issues, Midwifery Group Practices (MGPs) have been introduced, using midwiferyled continuity models known to benefit maternal health. Despite their benefits, there is limited research from the perspective of health professionals regarding the implementation and day-today realities of these models.
Methods:
This qualitative study was conducted in a rural New South Wales town (MMM 4) to explore the impact of the MGP on health professionals practice, job satisfaction, and future perceptions of the viability of the service. Participants included midwives recruited through a snowball sampling technique. Data was collected via six semi-structured interviews conducted over Microsoft Teams and analysed thematically. Ethics approval was granted by the local health district and the University of Notre Dame.
Results:
The transition to Midwifery Group Practices was viewed positively by the midwives, with key themes emerging around job satisfaction, the work environment, and the viability of the practice. Sub-themes identified included continuity of care, models of care, interprofessional collaboration, flexibility, autonomy, staffing, wages, professional development, cultural changes, and adaptability.
Conclusion:
Preliminary findings indicate that midwifery-led care in rural Australia offers a promising model for improving health professional practice, job satisfaction, and sustainability. The positive reception of MGPs by midwives highlights the potential of these practices to enhance the working conditions and effectiveness of maternity care in rural settings. The full study report will provide comprehensive insights into the transformative impact of MGPs on rural healthcare.