Voices From the Field: Informing Maternal Child Health Navigator Training Through Rural Practice Insights.

Area of Science:

• Maternal and Child Health
• Health Equity
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• Rural and underserved communities face significant maternal health inequities.
• Maternal-Child Health (MCH) Navigators play a crucial role in supporting vulnerable populations.
• Existing training may not fully prepare navigators for complex challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore MCH Navigators' views on training adequacy.
• To understand navigator experiences in field-based practice.
• To assess preparedness for trauma-informed care, substance use support, and social determinants of health in rural Texas.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study utilizing semi-structured interviews.
• Purposive sampling of four MCH Navigators in rural South Texas.
• Reflexive thematic analysis guided by Braun and Clarke's framework.

Main Results:

• Key themes included real-world preparedness, experiential learning ('learning by doing'), and applying trauma-informed principles.
• Navigators highlighted challenges in addressing substance use, neonatal abstinence syndrome, and social determinants of health.
• Lived experience, peer support, and practical application were vital in bridging training gaps.

Conclusions:

• Recommendations include integrating scenario-based and hybrid training methods.
• Enhancing navigator preparation with targeted education on trauma and substance use is crucial.
• Findings support scalable training solutions to reduce maternal health disparities.