Rethinking midwifery refresher programs as a recruitment strategy

Abstract

This paper presents a case study on an innovative Midwifery Refresher Program in the context of current midwiferyworkforce issues. The refresher program was developed specifically as a recruitment strategy to address a staffing crisisat the Mater Misericordiae Mothers' Hospital, a busy tertiary maternity hospital in Brisbane, Australia. Features ofthe program that contributed to its success include collaboration with an industry partner, high levels of clinicalsupport for participants, flexibility for women with family responsibilities and low financial costs for all stakeholders.This type of recruitment strategy may be useful for health care services experiencing staff shortages.