Implementing midwifery twinning partnerships: challenges and facilitators. A rapid evidence summary

Twinning is a partnership method that focuses on mutual transfer of knowledge and skills between two parties, including organisations, clinical practices, universities, or individual health professionals. In midwifery, twinning is a particularly important tool that can help countries with high maternal and infant morbidity and mortality rates to make connections with countries where sickness and death rates related to birth are lower and the role of midwives is better developed. The aim of this rapid evidence summary is to explore the literature for midwifery twinning initiatives and the facilitators and challenges of twinning partnerships. Sixteen research reports and textual evidence were identified. Facilitators of successful implementation of twinning initiatives include having a clear vision and mission statement along with investing time and promoting a co-creational approach. Reciprocity along with the building of personal relationships. Strong leadership, commitment, values, mutual respect and personal rapport between the projects. Clear communication plans, workshops, peer exchange visits alongside regular virtual contact. Building on existing relationships, previous experience of international and cross-cultural work and being prepared to overcome cultural differences. Having a local project team and careful; matching and selection of twins and having an adaptable personality. Having funding available. Challenges include communication issues, cultural differences in communication, technological issues and economic considerations. Additionally misplaced expectations, such as difference in social expectations, or one twin partner expecting opportunities that are not agreed upon by the other poses challenges to the successful implementation of twinning initiatives.