Obstetric Violence, Nurses’ and midwives’ perspectives and experiences: a meta-synthesis study

AIM: To synthesise qualitative studies on nurses’ and midwives’ perspectives and experiences of Obstetric Violence, exploring Obstetric Violence from a non-patient perspective. DESIGN: A qualitative meta-synthesis. METHODS: A systematic search was undertaken across multiple electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and CINAHL, to identify relevant studies published from database inception to April 1, 2025. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research. Relevant qualitative data were subsequently extracted, coded, and synthesised. RESULTS: This meta-synthesis incorporated 13 qualitative studies conducted across 13 countries. In total, there were 440 participants in all studies. A total of 40 themes were identified and subsequently synthesised into 11 categories, which were further integrated into four major synthesised findings: (1) Who is the Perpetrator; (2) Obvious and Hidden Harm; (3) Another Victim; (4) The strategies to prevent OV. CONCLUSION: The causes of OV extend beyond the actions of individual providers or isolated organisational failings and should be considered within a broader, multidimensional framework. OV manifests in both direct and indirect forms, with the latter often being less visible yet equally harmful to women. These subtler manifestations warrant greater recognition and attention. Within this context, nurses and midwives may also experience OV as secondary victims, underscoring the need for targeted interventions, such interventions include individual-level strategies, such as yoga, massage, and mindfulness, as well as organizational-level interventions such as Balint groups, to address their psychological distress, moral concerns, and burnout. Moving forward, strategies to reduce OV should adopt a coordinated, top-down approach involving action at societal, organisational, and individual levels.