Doulas as community health workers: lessons learned from a volunteer program

Area of Science:

• Community health
• Maternal health
• Public health

Background:

• Doulas offer social support during childbirth, linked to positive health outcomes.
• The traditional fee-for-service model limits access to doula support for many families.
• The Doulas Care program in Ann Arbor, Michigan, offers free doula services, creating a unique community outreach model.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the educational needs of volunteer doulas working within the Doulas Care program.
• To understand the barriers faced by doulas providing community-based support.
• To inform training and education to enhance doulas' roles as community health outreach workers.

Main Methods:

• Focus groups were conducted with volunteer doulas from the Doulas Care program.
• Qualitative data was collected on their experiences and challenges.
• Analysis focused on identifying specific educational needs.

Main Results:

• Volunteer doulas require training to overcome barriers in their community outreach role.
• Specific educational needs were identified related to their extended community functions.
• The findings highlight the need for tailored support for doulas in non-traditional settings.

Conclusions:

• The Doulas Care program's volunteer doulas have distinct educational requirements.
• Targeted education can improve doulas' effectiveness as community health workers.
• Addressing these needs can enhance doula support and improve maternal and child health outcomes.