Strategies, Enabling Factors, and Barriers in Mentorship for Midwife Specialists: A Systematic Review

Neervani Jacpasad; Kholofelo L. Matlhaba

doi:10.25159/2520-5293/20655

Authors

Neervani Jacpasad University of South Africa https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3503-8786
Kholofelo L. Matlhaba University of South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/2520-5293/20655

Keywords:

clinical competency, low- and middle-income countries, maternal health, midwife specialists, professional development, structured mentorship

Abstract

Background: Although midwifery professionals markedly enhance outcomes for mothers and newborns, uneven or informal mentorship frameworks frequently impede their advanced abilities. The absence of organised, competency-based mentorship hinders the application of theoretical knowledge in clinical practice in resource-constrained maternity settings, thus impacting professional growth and service quality.

Objective: This systematic review sought to synthesise qualitative research about the tactics, facilitating variables, and obstacles affecting mentoring programmes for midwife experts. The evaluation aimed to deliver practical insights to guide policy and practice for successful mentoring, sustained competency development, and professional advancement in advanced midwifery.

Methods: A qualitative systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Comprehensive searches were performed throughout PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL Plus, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and relevant grey literature sources. Studies published between 2020 and 2025 that provide qualitative data on structured mentorship or formal preceptorship for midwifery professionals were included. The data extraction focused on mentorship strategies, contextual factors, enabling mechanisms, challenges, and results. A thorough assessment of methodological quality was conducted using theCritical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) standards for qualitative research.

Results: Nineteen qualitative studies were included, indicating that structured mentorship enhances intrapartum assessment, emergency response readiness, and reflective clinical decision-making. Successful programmes were characterised by observation, simulation-based learning, continuous feedback, and reflective practices. Facilitating factors included comprehensive mentor training, specified mentoring intervals, and psychologically safe feedback settings. Organisational support, encompassing workload adjustments, simulation resources, and alignment with quality improvement initiatives, facilitated programme fidelity. Governance mechanisms, like mentor credentialing, accountability frameworks, and competency hierarchies, promoted sustainability and consistency among healthcare organisations.

Conclusion: Structured mentorship, when contextually adapted and reinforced by organisational support and governance, constitutes a replicable approach to improving midwife specialist competencies and care quality. The review recommends implementing national mentorship frameworks, protected mentoring time, and multi-level accountability mechanisms to institutionalise mentorship. Future research should explore alternative models, cost-effectiveness, and equity-focused adaptations to strengthen maternal and neonatal outcomes across diverse contexts.

Author Biography

Kholofelo L. Matlhaba, University of South Africa

Department of Health Studies

College of Human Sciences

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