Reflections on midwifery-led research by research midwives: A unique insight

Abstract

The research team at South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust (SWFT) worked with the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) on the ASPIRE (Achieving Safe and Personalised maternity care In Response to Epidemics) COVID-19 study. We conducted 55 stakeholder interviews to gain insight into the hospital's response to the pandemic. Working on the project presented many opportunities and challenges for us, including qualitative interviewing, using digital technology and engaging representative populations. This article, the fourth in the series, explains how the ASPIRE study gave us a unique opportunity to be part of a rare qualitative, midwifery-led research project which we fully embraced. We hope that this is the start of a new era of research that encourages midwife-led projects and qualitative studies.