Midwives are essential to maternity care in the Netherlands, providing care for the majority of pregnant women at the beginning of pregnancy. Despite their important role, the profession faces a growing challenge: many midwives leave the profession earlier than expected. This loss of experienced professionals affects knowledge transfer, workforce capacity, and the long-term quality of maternity care.
Previous research has mainly focused on why midwives leave. However, much less is known about why midwives choose to stay and how they can sustain long and healthy careers in the profession.
This PhD project takes a positive and solution-focused approach by investigating the factors that help midwives stay in practice.
This project uses a combination of quantitative and qualitative research, a systematic review, and participatory research with stakeholders in maternity care. Together, these studies will explore why midwives stay in the profession, which strategies they use to maintain a healthy and sustainable career, and which interventions may help improve long-term retention.
A sustainable midwifery workforce is essential for maintaining accessible, safe, and high-quality maternity care. By better understanding why midwives remain in their profession and identifying effective organizational and societal improvements, this research contributes to reducing workforce shortages and preserving valuable professional expertise. The findings can support policymakers, professional organizations, educational institutions, and healthcare employers in developing strategies that foster long-term professional wellbeing. Beyond midwifery, the results may also be relevant for other healthcare professions facing similar challenges related to workforce retention, burnout, and sustainable employability.
Start 2023
Four studies on sustainable employability, ending with a PhD dissertation and practical recommendations for maternity care.
University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG)
Department of Primary and Long-term Care
Midwifery Science Northern-Netherlands
Internal postcode FA21
P.O. Box 196
9700 AD Groningen
UMCG
Department of Primary and Long-term Care
Oostersingel | entrance 47 | building 50 | 2nd floor
Groningen
The Netherlands
