Exploring the determinants of student midwives' wellbeing during their studies: A qualitative study.

Problem: Student wellbeing is a global concern in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic. Students in healthcare often are exposed to academic, clinical, and psychosocial factors of stress, in particularly student midwives, as they are exposed to other people's intimate life experiences. The aim of this study was to identify factors which help and hinder student midwives in their studies.

Background: Midwifery students in the Netherlands must complete 35-50 % of their bachelor's degree with placements in community and hospital-based maternity care.

Methods: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted, using the Job-Demands-Resources model. Data were collected through semi-structured individual and group interviews with Bachelor student midwives from the Netherlands.

Findings: During coursework students found the high workload and lack of recovery time demanding. During placements, their sense of being constantly assessed, having to be available on call and being away from home were experienced as demands. The relationships with teachers as supportive. Support from their placement supervisors and peers were also resourceful if available and positive. In other cases, peer pressure and grand expectations from supervisors were demanding. Personal demands were setting ambitious standards and feeling alone during their placements, and personal resources were positive attitude towards to becoming a midwife.

Discussion: The academic programme for student midwives seemed highly demanding, with a stark difference between the learning environment in the faculty coursework and in the placements. Positive support from placement supervisors in a culture that values learning and development, can contribute to student midwives' socialization into midwifery.