An Interprofessional Collaboration Between a Community-Based Doula Organization and Clinical Partners: The Champion...

Area of Science:

• Maternal Health Equity
• Community-Based Doula Care
• Healthcare Partnerships

Background:

• Expanding doula services necessitates improved relationships between doulas, hospitals, and clinical staff.
• Rapport-building and provider education are suggested strategies, but few interventions are documented.
• Addressing disparities in maternal care requires innovative collaborative models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and core components of the Champion Dyad Initiative (CDI).
• To outline a novel program fostering bidirectional feedback between a doula organization and clinical sites.
• To ensure equitable treatment for pregnant and birthing individuals, particularly BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color).

Main Methods:

• Development of the Champion Dyad Initiative (CDI).
• Implementation of a bidirectional feedback system between SisterWeb (community doula organization) and 5 clinical sites.
• Description of 5 core components of the CDI program.

Main Results:

• The CDI program was successfully developed and implemented across 4 hospitals and 1 birthing center.
• Implementation challenges included documentation, funding, and institutional support.
• The initiative facilitated collaborative partnerships and respectful doula-provider relationships.

Conclusions:

• The CDI offers a promising model for community-based doula organizations and healthcare institutions.
• This initiative can improve pregnancy-related care for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
• The CDI can serve as an adaptable model for other settings and organizations.