PURPOSE:
Midwives across Canada and throughout the world are experiencing unprecedented burnout, attrition, and health challenges, which can threaten the profession’s sustainability. In Ontario, one in three midwives is considering leaving within the next five years—a crisis that demands urgent action. The Association of Ontario Midwives (AOM) launched the Midwifery Sustainability Project (MSP), a province-wide research and engagement initiative aimed at identifying the key enablers and barriers to midwifery sustainability, the actions needed for change and the pathways to fully integrate and value midwives within the health system.

DISCUSSION:
The presenters will take participants on the AOM’s sustainability journey, from identifying the need for the MSP to conducting the research and engagement process, identifying themes, drawing conclusions and making recommendations for system-level change. We will share the findings and impact of the AOM’s Midwifery Sustainability Project’s Roadmap to health system integration: A critical direction for midwifery sustainability in Ontario, highlighting key themes that resonate across health systems, including: • The structural barriers driving burnout and workforce shortages • Systemic enablers that support midwifery retention • Five evidence-informed urgent priority areas and advocacy strategies to ensure midwives are valued, supported, and fully integrated into health systems.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
AOM Comprehensive synthesis report: Understanding the systemic factors impacting the sustainability of midwifery in Ontario. May 2024. Association of Ontario Midwives, Toronto, ON. AOM Roadmap to health system integration: A critical direction for midwifery sustainability in Ontario. May 2025. Association of Ontario Midwives, Toronto, ON.

KEY MESSAGE:
This presentation will resonate with any midwife and midwifery association working to combat the forces of medical dominance, threats to professional autonomy, gender discrimination and systemic undervaluation and inspire them to take action for a better future. Poster session 4 (Group B)