Abstract
Introduction
In depth exploration of the burnout phenomenon among midwives is sparse. The concept
has been extensively studied, but predominantly reports rates and evaluates interventions
to reduce burnout. A definition has yet to be offered in the literature from a midwifery
perspective.
Aims
To explore midwives’ understandings of burnout, professionally and personally, in
the context of contemporary maternity care in Ireland.
Methods
This was a Two-phase Participatory Action Research study. Five co-operative inquiry
meetings were held with practising midwives (n = 21) over a six-month period between October 2018 and March 2019, in a large, urban
teaching maternity hospital in Dublin, Ireland.
Findings
We found that multiple factors contributed to midwives’ perceptions and understandings
of the concept of burnout. Midwives defined burnout as persistent stress and exhaustion,
with an associated reduction of their individual coping abilities, motivation, empathy
and/or efficacy, is unique to the individual and is primarily, in the midwifery context,
caused and inextricably linked to excessive workload.
Conclusion
Burnout is a complex concept with many entities and its significance and impact within
the midwifery profession highlights the importance of its exploration and understanding.
This study is the first of its kind to explore, with midwives, the concept of burnout.
The elements of stress and exhaustion in the definition mirror existing definitions
in the literature.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 12, 2021
Accepted:
June 8,
2021
Received in revised form:
May 28,
2021
Received:
February 1,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2021 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
