<p>There are significant racial disparities in maternal health and birth outcomes in the USA that disproportionately affect Black individuals. Incorporating community-based doula programs into hospital settings may be an effective intervention to reduce these disparities. However, little research has examined potential barriers and identified strategies to optimize the implementation of a community-based doula program in an academic hospital setting. This study used in-depth interviews with clinicians and nurses (<i>n</i> = 19) and focus groups with doulas (<i>n</i> = 11) to identify multi-level barriers to implementing a doula program for Black pregnant patients in a single academic hospital setting in Milwaukee, WI. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, and we developed four themes that highlight potential implementation barriers: (1) doulas’ advocacy efforts were met with resistance from the healthcare team; (2) there was a lack of trust and established relationships between doulas, clinicians, and nurses; (3) there was a hierarchy of knowledge within medical settings that diminished the value of doulas’ expertise; and (4) system-level barriers prevented sustained integration of doula programs. Despite the promise of community-based doula programs, significant investment and resources are needed to support implementation and ensure sustainability.</p>

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Implementation Barriers to Incorporating a Community-Based Doula Program to Improve Birth Outcomes for Black Patients in an Academic Medical Center

  • Katherine G. Quinn,
  • Erica Marion,
  • Joni S. Williams,
  • Dalvery Blackwell,
  • Jessica Olson,
  • Anna Palatnik

摘要

There are significant racial disparities in maternal health and birth outcomes in the USA that disproportionately affect Black individuals. Incorporating community-based doula programs into hospital settings may be an effective intervention to reduce these disparities. However, little research has examined potential barriers and identified strategies to optimize the implementation of a community-based doula program in an academic hospital setting. This study used in-depth interviews with clinicians and nurses (n = 19) and focus groups with doulas (n = 11) to identify multi-level barriers to implementing a doula program for Black pregnant patients in a single academic hospital setting in Milwaukee, WI. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, and we developed four themes that highlight potential implementation barriers: (1) doulas’ advocacy efforts were met with resistance from the healthcare team; (2) there was a lack of trust and established relationships between doulas, clinicians, and nurses; (3) there was a hierarchy of knowledge within medical settings that diminished the value of doulas’ expertise; and (4) system-level barriers prevented sustained integration of doula programs. Despite the promise of community-based doula programs, significant investment and resources are needed to support implementation and ensure sustainability.