Understanding Jordanian Midwives' Experiences of Providing Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis: A Phenomenological Study.

Background: Midwives are at high-risk during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak. Risks include virus exposures, extra working hours, psychological stressors, fatigue, work burnout, stigma, and physical and psychological violence. However, attention is needed to prepare the midwives during this crisis and help them overcome their challenges. The current study aims to explore Jordanian midwives' experiences of providing health care during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

Methods: A descriptive phenomenological qualitative study was used. Semi-structured interviews using telephone calls were conducted to collect data from April to May 2020. Each interview lasted for 30-45 minutes. Purposive and snowball sampling strategies were used to recruit 20 midwives from two hospitals. Colaizzi's method was used to analyze the data manually.

Results: Four main themes and eight subthemes were obtained. The main themes included: "Living in turmoil"; "Communication dilemma"; "Positive experience over time", and "Seeking support".

Conclusion: Jordanian midwives experienced a stressful and interruptive routine life while providing care to their clients during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study recommends more attention towards the psychological state and factors that might affect the midwives during this crisis. The management and administrative teams should do their best to reduce the work pressure and arrange holidays appropriately. Policymakers and the government should provide the midwives with a safe work environment, good information resources, and financial rewards.