Swedish midwives’ perception of their practice environment – A cross sectional study
Categorie(s):
Healt
Author(s):
Ingegerd Hildingsson, Jennifer Fenwick
Keyword(s):
Kesehatan, kebidanan, Jurnal Internasional, jurnal, Midwife, Practice environment, Burnout, Quality of life, Self-efficacy
DOI:
Abstract :
ABSTRACT
Background: There is a shortage of midwives in Sweden. Evidence suggests that the work environment
is likely to play a part in retention and attrition rates.
Objective: To explore the practice environment of Swedish midwives and factors associated with the
perception of an unfavorable work environment.
Methods: 475/1000 (48.6%) members of the Swedish Midwifery association completed a questionnaire
including the Practice Environment Scale (PES). Differences in mean scores were calculated for the subscales
of PES and midwives’ background characteristics. Logistic regression was used to investigate factors most
strongly associated with unfavorable working environment.
Results: The two domains that showed significant differences in terms of participant characteristics were
the Staffing and resources adequacy subscale and the Foundations of quality care subscale. Midwives younger
than 40 years, those with less than 10 years’ experience and those with an additional academic degree
rated these two domains more unfavorably. Protective factors for assessing the work environment unfavorable
were mainly internal such as high quality of life and high self-efficacy. Swedish midwives were
most satisfied with the midwife–doctor relationship and least satisfied with their participation in work
place or hospital affairs. Midwives suffering from burnout, those who provided hospital based care and
those without leadership position were more likely to assess their work environment as unfavorable.
Conclusions: This study identified personal factors as well as work related factors to be associated with
midwives’ assessment of their practice work environment. Establishing healthy work places where
midwives feel recognized and valued could prevent midwives from leaving the profession.