Midwives are central to maternal and neonatal care. They are responsible for managing pregnancy, labour, childbirth, and postnatal care, while also supporting the newborn and family.
When the workforce is under-resourced or underprepared, the impact is immediate. Outcomes worsen, risks increase, and healthcare systems shift from preventative to reactive care.
The global midwifery challenge is not only a shortage of staff. It is a gap between what the role requires and how practitioners are prepared.
Midwives are expected to:
This requires clinical judgement, technical skill, communication, and the ability to act under pressure.
These are not isolated tasks. They occur simultaneously in dynamic, unpredictable environments.
There is an estimated global shortfall of around 900,000 midwives.
In many regions, particularly across Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia:
Shortages increase workload, reduce supervision, and limit time for patient care.
This creates conditions where errors are more likely and early signs of complications may be missed.
Midwifery is a high-pressure profession with:
Studies report high levels of stress, fatigue, and burnout among midwives.
This has direct consequences:
Workforce shortages and burnout reinforce each other, creating a cycle that is difficult to break.
The clinical environment is complex. Labour can change rapidly, and decisions must often be made with incomplete information.
Where education does not reflect this reality, new practitioners may:
Traditional training often focuses on isolated tasks rather than full clinical scenarios.
This creates a gap between knowing what to do and being able to do it in real time.
Recent studies highlight this gap and how it can be addressed.
A cohort study comparing VR simulation with traditional manikin-based training found:
All differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001).
A separate study in Ghana showed:
Students trained using immersive simulation were better prepared to manage complete clinical scenarios, not just individual procedures.
Midwifery is often the first and most consistent point of care during pregnancy and childbirth.
When training is insufficient:
In high-pressure environments, small delays can have significant consequences.
Improving workforce numbers alone does not address this. Capability is the critical factor.
Simulation changes how students experience training.
Instead of learning isolated skills, they can:
In the Ghana study, VR allowed students to complete the entire birth process, from early labour through to postpartum care, within a single continuous scenario.
This directly addresses the gap between theory and clinical practice.
Expanding the workforce is necessary, but not sufficient.
Without high-quality, clinically aligned education:
Improving education has a direct impact on:
The global midwifery workforce challenge is a combination of shortage and preparation.
Midwives are expected to manage complex, high-risk situations. Where training does not reflect this reality, patient safety is affected.
Improving outcomes requires more than increasing numbers. It requires structured, realistic, and repeatable training that prepares practitioners for the conditions they will actually face.
What is the main global challenge in midwifery?
A combination of workforce shortages and inconsistent education quality.
Why are midwives critical to maternal and neonatal care?
They manage pregnancy, labour, childbirth, and postnatal care, often as the primary point of contact.
How does poor training affect outcomes?
It increases the risk of delayed decisions, errors, and complications during labour and delivery.
Why is burnout a major issue?
High workload and pressure reduce performance, increase errors, and lead to staff leaving the profession.
How can simulation improve midwifery training?
By providing realistic, repeatable scenarios that develop decision-making, technical skills, and confidence.