BACKGROUND:
Midwives in Germany provide care in both hospital and out-of-hospital settings. Depending on their employment type and professional field, midwives practice with varying levels of professional autonomy, interprofessional collaboration and psychological stressors. These levels can influence midwives´ perceived quality of care, job satisfaction and health-related outcomes, including burnout and intention to leave the profession.

OBJECTIVES:
The ´Healthy Midwives´ study aims to provide insights into the health and working conditions of midwives across different employment types and care settings in Germany.

METHODS:
The online-based cross-sectional survey study is conducted between 5 May and 23 July 2025. Validated instruments and self-developed items are used to examine the working conditions (e.g. Work Design Questionnaire (WDQ), Interprofessional Collaboration Scale (ICS), Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire (ERI), Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ III)) and work-related health-outcomes (e.g. COPSOQ III, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale). Data will be analysed using descriptive statistics and regression analyses.

RESULTS:
By June 2025, n = 867 midwives had participated in the survey. It is expected that freelance midwives will experience higher levels of professional autonomy compared to employed midwives. In contrast, employed midwives are anticipated to demonstrate higher levels of interprofessional collaboration.

CONCLUSIONS:
The findings will serve as a basis for developing behavioral and organisational strategies to promote autonomous practice and healthy working conditions for midwives in both hospital and out-of-hospital care settings.

KEY MESSAGE:
This research will contribute to an improved understanding of midwives’ working conditions in Germany, particularly regarding professional autonomy and interprofessional collaboration across different models of midwifery care. Respectful maternity care 1