BACKGROUND:
The fractured state of global maternity systems and persistent workforce deficits and pressures are creating environments and cultures where midwives experience isolation, disconnection and division.

OBJECTIVES:
The aim of this presentation is to share the final grounded theory and findings from a PhD exploring how professional connections and relationships impact midwives’ wellbeing and career sustainability.

METHODS:
Glaserian Grounded Theory was used in this study. In-depth interviews were conducted with 32 midwives from across Australia to capture a depth of understanding of how collegial relationships impact across the career continuum.

RESULTS:
The study findings highlight that the absence of connection in midwifery takes a personal and professional toll, resulting in psychological and physical impacts such as feelings of disconnection, disillusionment, and isolation, all of which have a strong correlation with attrition. The findings capture the pervasive presence and deleterious impacts of ‘toxic tribalism’ and ‘intra-professional othering’ as described by study participants. In contrast, participants who experience a practice environment that supports and values professional connections and relationships reported high levels of professional satisfaction, collaborative interdisciplinary teams, role understanding, autonomy, trust and support to practice to their full midwifery scope and continue to develop professionally and explore diverse career paths in midwifery.

CONCLUSIONS:
Representing the experiences of midwives across various career stages, this research identifies unique understandings pertaining to relational significance, with capacity to inform and transform policy and practice. The final grounded theory closely aligns with the theme of the 34th ICM Triennial Congress as it identifies the value and protective nature of professional connection for midwives, as well as the vulnerabilities that occur in its absence.

KEY MESSAGE:
These findings point to an urgent need for health systems to recognise the importance of connection and professional relationships and develop meaningful strategies to support the cultivation of relationships for midwives to sustain and flourish within the profession. Workforce - professional identity