[Midwives in Switzerland: a study of the work and recruitment status]

The aim of this study was an analysis of the working conditions for midwives in- and outside of obstetric clinics. The study is based on a representative survey carried out among Swiss midwives in 1991 and on statistics of the Swiss Red Cross and the Swiss Federal Statistical Office. It could be shown that there is a high degree of professional satisfaction especially among midwives working on their own; of the negative aspects, the irregular work load and an inadequate income were among the most often named problems. Recruitment problems were evident, as there is a clear lack between the available places in the Swiss schools for midwifery and the need for midwives in this country, at least during periods of a relatively favorable economic situation.