BACKGROUND:
A global shortage of nearly one million midwives poses a significant threat to maternal and neonatal health. Studies have shown that sufficient staffing is not only key to ensuring quality maternity care but also enhances midwives' job satisfaction - an important factor for long-term retention. However, little is known about how structural and organisational characteristics of obstetric institutions are associated with midwifery staffing situations.

OBJECTIVES:
To describe midwifery staffing levels and potential shortages in Swiss obstetric institutions, and to explore associations between institutional structural characteristics and staffing situations.

METHODS:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted within a nationwide study between spring and summer 2025, targeting all obstetric institutions in Switzerland (N=112). The survey was developed through a multi-step process involving midwifery experts from diverse professional backgrounds. It collects data on institutions, staffing and work conditions of midwives. Multivariable analyses will be conducted to identify structural differences across institutions in relation to their staffing situations.

RESULTS:
Preliminary results indicate that structural differences among Swiss obstetric institutions are associated with variations in midwifery staffing levels and the occurrence of staff shortages. Final detailed analyses will report potential differences in terms of institution type, care model, geographic region and setting, and language area.

CONCLUSIONS:
Understanding the association between staffing situations and structural characteristics is crucial to identifying systemic weaknesses and informing targeted interventions. While transferability to other countries may be limited, these findings offer a valuable foundation for further international research. Ethical approval was obtained prior to data collection. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The study is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, and additionally supported by the Swiss Midwives Association.

KEY MESSAGE:
Better knowledge of structural and organisational characteristics linked to midwifery staffing can support sustainable workforce planning and quality care provision. Poster session 2 (Group A)