Expectations, Experiences and Contexts of European Midwives Pursuing a Doctoral Degree: A Twenty‐Three‐Country Exploratory Survey

ABSTRACT

Background

Despite the increasing number of doctorally prepared midwives in Europe, particularly after the Bologna Declaration 1999, little is known about the context and experiences of their doctoral education.

Aim

To explore European initially qualified midwives' experiences with doctoral education; and the context of their education through their professional associations.

Design

An exploratory descriptive observational survey.

Methods

An ethically approved web-based survey was used to collect data from midwifery associations and midwives in 33 European countries between October and December 2024. Descriptive statistics and inductive thematic analysis were used to analyse the responses.

Results

Twenty-two midwifery associations from 19 European countries and 207 midwives from 23 European countries participated. Over the last two decades, there has been an increase in the number of doctorally prepared midwives. Common reasons to gain doctoral qualifications included an interest in research, career progression, in particular in education, and improving healthcare. Midwives reported growing availability of European-wide opportunities for doctoral programmes, alongside an increase in the number of doctoral midwifery programmes and supervisors with midwifery expertise. Although many barriers were reported, effectively combining study with their personal life and support from family, friends and colleagues was highlighted as crucial factors in completing their doctoral studies.

Conclusion

This is the first study exploring the experiences of European midwives pursuing a doctoral degree. The findings highlight a need for universities to improve the collaboration with midwives' supportive networks as well as for the profession to reduce intraprofessional hostilities to enhance doctoral midwifery students' well-being.

Implications for the profession: Acknowledging challenges faced by these midwives is necessary to improve professional and institutional support in academia and midwifery.

Impact

Findings of this study inform strategies to improve doctoral education for midwives and, in this way, strengthen the contributions of midwives to maternal evidenced-based care development and healthcare innovations.

Reporting Method

The Consensus-Based Checklist for Reporting of Survey Studies (CROSS) was used to guide reporting.

Patient or Public Contribution

This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct or reporting.