Understanding the use of peer support by midwives in clinical practice: A scoping review

Midwifery work is both challenging and rewarding. Midwifery is emotionally demanding, and peer support is thought to help midwives process distressing experiences such as traumatic births, perinatal loss, or professional conflict. Whilst there is evidence of preceptorship, mentoring, and clinical supervision in midwifery, the ways in which midwives give and receive peer support are not well understood.

To examine the evidence regarding the use of peer support by midwives and to map the evidence, focusing on knowledge gaps, to inform further research on how to best support midwives.

A scoping review was undertaken through four databases that index midwifery-related research. Peer-reviewed papers in English were sourced. Two midwifery researchers independently screened all titles and abstracts, then selected full texts. This was undertaken in Covidence. A thematic synthesis was undertaken in the selected papers.

Thirty articles met the inclusion criteria. The acronym 'Strive' was developed to represent the key concepts of peer support for midwives, including Setting (context), Trauma, Relationships, Institutional support, Validation (emotional support), and Engagement (team/managerial).

'STRIVE' conveys an active, aspirational tone when the workplace setting or context is recognised, trauma may be minimised, positive relationships with the inter and intra professional team are built, institutional policies and practices support midwives, experiences perceived as stressful are validated through emotional support within the team, and the team and management are engaged in creating the positive environment and building social capital. Peer support may be enhanced if midwives are provided with education on mental health and well-being in the workplace.

Positive peer support is a necessity, not an indulgence, if we are to build a strong, resilient workforce and retain the midwifery workforce.