Managing a work-life balance: the experiences of midwives working in a group practice setting

Abstract

Objective: To explore how a group of midwives achieved a work-life balance working within a caseload model of care with flexible work hours and on-call work.

Design: in-depth interviews were conducted and the data were analysed using a data-driven thematic analysis technique.

Setting: Children, Youth and Women's Health Service (CYWHS) (previously Women's and Children's Hospital), Adelaide, where a midwifery service known as Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) offers a caseload model of care to women within a midwife-managed unit.

Participants: 17 midwives who were currently working, or had previously worked, in MGP.

Findings: analysis of the midwives' individual experiences provided insight into how midwives managed the flexible hours and on-call work to achieve a sustainable work-life balance within a caseload model of care.

Key conclusions: it is important for midwives working in MGP to actively manage the flexibility of their role with time on call. Organisational, team and individual structure influenced how flexibility of hours was managed; however, a period of adjustment was required to achieve this balance.

Implications: the study findings offer a description of effective, sustainable strategies to manage flexible hours and on-call work that may assist other midwives working in a similar role or considering this type of work setting.