Registration Experiences of Middle Eastern Qualified Midwives in Australia: A Narrative Case Study Analysis

BACKGROUND: Migrating to Australia to work as a midwife can be challenging, particularly for those from non-English speaking backgrounds, since they must achieve strict qualification standards, English language skills, and professional competence to be eligible for registration.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to explore the registration experiences of Middle Eastern-qualified midwives in Australia.

METHODS: Multiple case narrative study, underpinned by structuration theory, involving 19 Middle Eastern-qualified midwives from different states of Australia. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted between November 2020 and September 2021 and digitally recorded and then transcribed. Transcriptions were analyzed in three stages, with categories generated in the second stage and core categories developed in the third.

RESULTS: This study found that Middle Eastern-qualified midwives’ registration experiences were significantly impacted by evolutions in policies in Australia. The accounts of participants who applied for registration at varying stages suggested the process became more complicated over time. Overall, four categories emerged with varying prominence from the accounts of participants who applied for registration at different times including: language barrier, variation in the process, inadequate orientation, and misdirection. Systemic issues were identified as significant barriers to the registration of Middle Eastern-qualified midwives in Australia.

CONCLUSION: With Australia’s reliance on internationally qualified midwives, strategies should be developed to identify the language support, appropriate orientation, and regulatory adjustment necessary to reduce the underutilization of Middle Eastern-qualified midwives.