Community-Led Solutions to Build Safer, More Equitable Places to Birth: The Baltimore Patients as Partners Project

Area of Science:

• Maternal Health
• Health Equity
• Quality Improvement

Background:

• Racial disparities in maternal health outcomes are linked to patient-provider relationship issues.
• Black maternity patients frequently experience communication failures during childbirth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the "Patients as Partners" maternity care quality improvement initiative.
• To address patient-provider communication failures impacting Black mothers.

Main Methods:

• Partnered with the Preeclampsia Foundation to collect stories from 34 Black women with maternal health complications (2020-2021).
• Conducted focus groups to gather birthing experiences and recommendations.
• Presented findings and recommendations at hospital forums attended by over 100 healthcare professionals.

Main Results:

• Women reported feeling not listened to regarding pain and birth plans.
• Participants felt excluded from care decisions and believed providers devalued their input due to race and socioeconomic status (Medicaid coverage).
• Women provided recommendations for improving maternity care quality.

Conclusions:

• The "Patients as Partners" initiative highlights critical areas for improving maternity care for Black women.
• Addressing provider bias and enhancing patient-provider communication are essential for equitable maternal health outcomes.