What are the characteristics of supportive and attractive midwifery practice environments in higher income countries? A scoping review.

Background: Midwives are essential health care workers who positively impact many health and wellbeing outcomes during and outside of the childbearing episode, however a number of attrition drivers, including in the work environment, mean the profession is facing significant and concerning erosion. Objective: To conduct a scoping review of research literature to answer the question “What are the characteristics of midwifery practice environments in higher income countries that support and retain midwives”. Design: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols - extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist was used to design this review.