What are the factors that affect female healthcare workers on their return to work after maternity leave?

Abstract

Introduction: The demographic of the paramedic workforce is changing on a worldwide scale, and a higher proportion of paramedics are women of childbearing age. In order to ensure retention in the workplace, it is crucial to understand the challenges faced by female paramedics when returning to work after maternity leave, thus guaranteeing that appropriate support can be provided. Due to a paucity of literature focusing on paramedics, this review has examined literature pertaining to other female healthcare professionals on their return to work and suggests that these factors affect women working in all healthcare disciplines, whether paramedic or otherwise.

Methods: A systematic search strategy using four electronic databases (CINAHL, British Nursing Database, PubMed and Academic Search Complete) was conducted in February 2025. The PRISMA systematic approach was used to conduct a review of the literature, and selected studies were identified using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Papers were narratively synthesised to produce key themes for discussion. As this was secondary research, no ethical approval was required.

Results: A total of 746 records were initially found; after eliminating duplicates and giving consideration to titles and abstracts, 14 remained. Eight of the articles did not meet the inclusion criteria, leaving six, and a further three were found via snowballing and internet searches, giving a final total of nine articles for inclusion in the review. No literature that specifically related to female paramedics was found. Thematic analysis of the papers identified five main themes: work factors, health and well-being, childcare, identity and home support.

Conclusion: The factors that affect female healthcare workers on their return to work after maternity leave are multiple, complex and varied. Women need good support from their workplace in order to have a successful transition back to work, and the availability of childcare for shift workers was problematic. Further research is needed in this area to fully understand the issues facing female paramedics returning to work after maternity leave, as many papers identified were dated, and there is no contemporary UK data pertaining to female paramedics.