Readiness to Implement a Doula-Hospital Partnership Program.

Area of Science:

• Maternal Health
• Health Services Research
• Health Equity

Background:

• Racial disparities in maternal morbidity and mortality persist, particularly affecting Black women.
• Doula support is increasingly recognized as a valuable component of maternal care.
• Hospital-based doula programs can help bridge gaps in care and address systemic inequities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate obstetric clinicians' and leaders' baseline knowledge, attitudes, and experiences with doulas.
• To assess their readiness for implementing a novel doula-hospital partnership program.
• To inform the successful integration of doulas into obstetric care settings.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to obstetric clinicians and leaders (N=48) at an academic medical center.
• The survey utilized the Organizational Readiness for Implementing Change (ORIC) scale and original questions.
• Descriptive, bivariate, and content analyses were performed on the collected data.

Main Results:

• All surveyed clinicians (n=45) providing intrapartum care were familiar with doula roles.
• While some negative experiences were reported (47.3%), positive experiences with doulas were more common (76.3%).
• Participants demonstrated a positive attitude toward doulas and high readiness for change, with strong scores on ORIC subscales for commitment and efficacy.

Conclusions:

• Findings indicate substantial support and readiness among obstetric clinicians and leaders to implement the doula-hospital partnership program.
• The program is well-positioned for successful implementation, potentially improving maternal care outcomes.
• This study provides a foundation for similar initiatives aimed at reducing maternal health disparities through doula integration.