Midwifery students' views about implementation of midwifery continuity of care models in Sweden- an interview study

The World Health Organization recommends models with midwifery continuity of care for pregnant women, as they have been shown to result in positive outcomes. While some initiatives have been taken to introduce such models into Swedish maternity care, they have not been fully implemented. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate midwifery students' views on implementing midwifery continuity of care within the current maternity healthcare organization in Sweden.

A Swedish national interview study involving 16 midwifery students was conducted in 2023. The data were analyzed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis following Braun and Clarke's method.

The midwifery students ranged in age between 27 and 45 years and were in their second or third semester. Their views on implementing midwifery continuity of care within the current Swedish maternity healthcare organization were described by the following themes: Integrating evidence-based midwifery continuity into maternity care; Providing maternity care that respects women's needs for quality care; and Societal and financial prioritization of midwifery continuity of care is crucial.

Although the midwifery students held a positive attitude towards implementing midwifery continuity of care within the current Swedish maternity healthcare organization, they also highlighted essential factors that need to be addressed to support increased implementation.