[Racism in Clinical Maternity Care: Perceptions of Midwifery Students in Austria]

Racism is an independent determinant of health and can occur in subtle forms within maternity care. In German-speaking countries, there is a lack of systematic research that considers racism as an explanatory category.To explore how midwifery students perceive, interpret, and discuss racist behavior during their internships in Austrian delivery rooms and to derive implications for midwifery education.A qualitative, exploratory design was applied, using nine problem-centered individual interviews with students in the 4^th and 6^th semesters at three Austrian universities of applied sciences. Data were analyzed thematically.All participants reported racist incidents, mostly subtle and structurally embedded. Manifestations included stereotypical attributions regarding pain perception, birthing ability, or hygiene; derogatory communication; lack of informed consent; coercive practices; and disadvantages related to language barriers. Students reported feelings of powerlessness within the hierarchical clinical system and emotional strain. A systematic, critical engagement with racism is currently absent from the curriculum.The findings highlight an urgent need for structural changes in both education and practice to promote health equity and break discriminatory patterns of care.