Midwives’ Attitudes Toward Adverse Event Reporting: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background

Adverse events (AEs) in healthcare are hard to talk about and report. For midwives, these events can be especially intimidating due to the challenging situations and responsibilities they face. This scoping review aims to understand how midwives view and report AEs, and what factors affect their reporting, to help improve practice, training, and policy.

Materials and Methods

A scoping review was done on English-language peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2025, using databases including PubMed, Scopus, Wiley Online Library, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Three independent reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and full texts based on defined inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results

Out of 228 studies identified, 7 met the final inclusion criteria. These studies, conducted in Ethiopia, Iran, Poland, and China, primarily used quantitative methods. Although midwives acknowledged the importance of reporting AEs, several barriers emerged: fear of blame, legal repercussions, reputational harm, lack of support, and unclear reporting systems. Workplace culture and rigid hierarchies further discouraged open communication. More experienced staff showed a greater willingness to report, often linked with better understanding and confidence.

Conclusion

Although the importance of reporting AEs is widely recognized, barriers still prevent midwives from doing so effectively. To create a safer and more transparent reporting environment, healthcare systems should implement clear, non-punitive reporting processes, provide better training on recognizing and disclosing errors, and adopt leadership practices that focus on learning from mistakes rather than blaming individuals.