BACKGROUND:
For over two decades, midwifery scholars have advocated for the midwifery continuity of carer (MCoC) model, conceiving it as the core of quality maternity care. Yet, its implementation remains patchy worldwide. One suggested reason for this is insufficient research into the nuances of local maternity care contexts and midwives' attitudes toward the model's practicalities.

OBJECTIVES:
This study seeks to investigate whether midwives in Poland are interested in the MCoC model and what factors influence this interest.

METHODS:
A nationwide cross-sectional survey of Polish midwives was conducted using an online questionnaire. The participants were 672 hospital-based midwives (mean age 35.0 years, SD=11.3).

RESULTS:
71% of surveyed midwives expressed willingness to work within an MCoC model. Those with private practices were 7.6 times more likely to show interest than those without (OR = 7.60, 95% CI [1.74, 33.30]). Midwives in birth units were nearly 3 times more likely to express willingness than those in other departments (OR = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.67 - 4.71). Those with multiple workplaces were 1.6 times more likely to show interest than those with one (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.01 - 2.53). Conversely, midwives with 10–20 (OR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.21 - 0.69) and over 20 years of experience (OR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.27 - 0.78) were less likely to prefer this model compared to those with 0–3 years of experience.

CONCLUSIONS:
These findings suggest that career stage, working in birth units and rotation across maternity care areas are key determinants of MCoC model preference among Polish midwives. Strategies aimed at early-career midwives should be developed to support successful implementation of this model in Poland.

KEY MESSAGE:
Overall, 71% of midwives were interested in the MCoC model in Poland. To facilitate successful implementation, strategies targeting midwives entering the labour market and those working in birth units should be developed. Poster session 2 (Group A)