Midwifery workforce preparedness and competence in disaster situations: A qualitative study

Abstract

Objectives This study aims to determine the preparedness and competence of midwives before and during disaster situations. Methods A phenomenological study was conducted with 16 midwives working at a public hospital between January and March 2025. The participants were selected through purposive sampling. The data were collected via a demographic information form and a semi structured interview form through an in-depth interview method. Content analysis was performed on the interview transcripts via the MAXQDA 2020 program. Results Three main themes emerged: midwives’ disaster preparedness status, factors influencing their intervention competence during disasters, and recommendations to enhance preparedness and intervention effectiveness. Conclusion The study acknowledges midwives’ perspectives on their roles in disasters, readiness levels, willingness to volunteer, and institutional support availability. According to the results of the study, the psychological resilience of nurses should be strengthened to increase their preparedness and competence in disasters, undergraduate and graduate-level courses should be given to increase their knowledge and experience, all training given for disasters should be simulation-based and hands-on training, and rotational work assignments should be established in healthcare institutions.