Swedish midwives’ attitudes towards continuity models-a cross-sectional survey

Background

Midwifery continuity models are growing worldwide, but few such alternatives are available in Sweden. There is sparse knowledge about Swedish midwives’ attitudes about midwifery continuity models.

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore Swedish midwives’ attitudes toward continuity models. An additional aim was to evaluate the psychometric properties of a previously developed instrument measuring attitudes to continuity models.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of a national sample of 2537 midwives in Sweden. The participants completed a questionnaire online. A Principal component Analysis was performed to identify components in the instrument.

Results

A fairly similar proportion of midwives worked in antenatal care (30.7%), intrapartum care (30.7%) and in other areas (31.1%). Many midwives (59%) agreed that continuity models should be available to women, but were not certain about if such models should be offered to all women or low risk women only. Two domains of the attitude scale were identified; Relationship-based Midwifery Continuity Models, and Practical and Organisational Aspects of Midwifery Continuity Models. Age, having children, marital status, length of work experience and place of work were associated with high agreement non the two components.

Conclusion

Many midwives in general held positive attitudes about continuity models. The relationship aspects were highly valued but midwives were also hesitant about the practical and organisational aspect of continuity models. Unbiased information to midwives about the pros and cons with continuity models should be offered, in order to limit misunderstandings about the model.