Midwives’ experiences using personal protective equipment during COVID-19: a scoping review

Background Correct use of personal protective equipment is vital to minimise the risk of patients acquiring healthcare-associated infections. These measures are also important in preventing exposure to occupational infection. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of personal protective equipment was associated with anxiety, uncertainty and additional training requirements. This study investigated midwives’ experiences using personal protective equipment during the pandemic. Methods This systematic scoping review searched seven academic databases and grey literature. Data analysis was conducted using a thematic analysis framework. Results A total of 16 studies were included. Four themes were found: ‘fear and anxiety’, ‘personal protective equipment/resources’, ‘education and training needs’ and ‘communication’. Conclusions Management and administration inconsistences, logistical issues and lack of training on personal protective equipment led to midwives’ negative feedback. A gap has been identified in the exploration of midwives’ experiences as personal protective equipment end-users during the COVID-19 pandemic.