Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
14:43
A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
Free-Standing Birth Center Environments Influencing Culturally Sensitive Maternal Care Experiences.
Devi Abhishek Soman1, Anjali Joseph1,2, Yueci Jiang1
1Center for Health Facilities Design and Testing, Richard A. McMahan School of Architecture, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA.
HERD
|June 1, 2026
Summary
The physical environment of Free-Standing Birth Centers (FSBCs) positively impacts maternal care for underserved communities. Design elements like accessibility and supportive spaces enhance culturally sensitive experiences.
Area of Science:
- Maternal Health
- Healthcare Design
- Health Equity
Background:
- Disparities in maternal care experiences and outcomes persist for underserved communities in the USA.
- Free-Standing Birth Centers (FSBCs) utilizing a midwifery model are recognized for providing culturally sensitive care.
- Limited research exists on the perspectives of underserved communities regarding the physical environment of FSBCs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how the physical environment of FSBCs influences culturally sensitive maternal care experiences.
- To understand the perspectives of birthing persons (BP), support persons (SP), and birthing staff (BS) from historically underrepresented communities (HUCs).
Main Methods:
- Conducted in-depth, semistructured interviews with 28 participants (BPs, SPs, BSs) from HUCs.
- Employed a deductive-inductive thematic analysis approach.
- Examined perceptions of the physical environment at community, facility, and room levels.
Main Results:
- 82% of quotations described the physical environment positively.
- Key 'care experience' themes included autonomy, support, and comfort.
- Community-level factors like travel distance and facility-level factors like spatial organization were significant.
Conclusions:
- Emerging design elements can inform future maternal care settings.
- Optimizing the physical environment can promote culturally sensitive maternal care for HUCs.
- Addressing spatial design and accessibility is crucial for enhancing care experiences.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-I
Specialized care settings or centers are situated in convenient locations within the community and offer care to a specific group or population. They consist of daycare facilities, mental health facilities, rural health facilities, educational institutions, industries, shelters for the homeless, and rehabilitation facilities.
Daycare centers
They provide several functions. Some facilities care for healthy newborns and children whose parents work, while others are medically focused and care for...
Daycare centers
They provide several functions. Some facilities care for healthy newborns and children whose parents work, while others are medically focused and care for...
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II
Rural Health Centers
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
01:13Patient-centered Care
Patient-centered care involves delivering care beyond inpatient hospitalization. Reflective practice can enhance a patient-centered approach. Reflective practice is a process of reasoning that considers all aspects of the present situation, including practicalities, learning from personal practice, and consideration of patient needs. Patients appreciate care decisions made while considering their input. Involving the patient in their care provides the patient with a sense of contribution rather...
01:27Parenting Styles
Diana Baumrind's four parenting styles — authoritarian, authoritative, neglectful, and permissive — each influence children's socio-emotional development differently.
Authoritarian Parenting
This style is strict and controlling, with little room for open dialogue. Authoritarian parents demand obedience and often enforce rules with minimal warmth. Children raised this way may lack social skills and initiative, usually comparing themselves to others unfavorably.
Authoritative Parenting
This...
Authoritarian Parenting
This style is strict and controlling, with little room for open dialogue. Authoritarian parents demand obedience and often enforce rules with minimal warmth. Children raised this way may lack social skills and initiative, usually comparing themselves to others unfavorably.
Authoritative Parenting
This...
01:21Barriers to Effective Communication II
The barriers to effective communication also include cultural barriers, semantic barriers, gender barriers, and time constraints.
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...