Labor Pain, Pregnancy
Conditions
Keywords
Empathy, Cultural Competency, Provider-Patient Relations, Trust
Brief summary
Aim 3 is a provider-focused pilot randomized controlled trial evaluating a digital storytelling intervention to increase obstetric care providers' empathy and to examine associations with postpartum patient trust. Providers randomized to the intervention view a video of Black women's labor pain and care experiences and complete a brief reflection; control providers receive general culturally sensitive care materials. Outcomes include change in provider empathy (primary) and patient trust among Black postpartum patients under those providers' care (secondary). Risks are minimal and mitigated via consent, voluntary participation, the option to skip questions, and secure data practices.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALDigital storytelling video + written reflection
Providers in the intervention arm watch a digital storytelling video and complete a brief written reflection to ensure engagement.
BEHAVIORALGeneral culturally sensitive care materials
Providers in the control arm receive general written information about culturally sensitive care.
Sponsors
Duke University
Rita & Alex Hillman Foundation
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Provider Participants: * Licensed clinician employed or credentialed at Duke Health Birthing Centers (nurse, anesthesia care provider, obstetrician, or nurse midwife). * In clinical practice for at least 6 months post-orientation. * Able to read and understand English. Patient Participants: * Self-identified non-Hispanic Black American women. * Age ≥18 years. * Able to read and converse in English. * Receiving obstetric care from a provider who is already enrolled in the study.
Exclusion criteria
Provider Participants: * Providers in training or with \<6 months independent clinical practice. * Providers unwilling or unable to give informed consent. Patient Participants: * Under 18 years of age. * Non-English speakers (due to study survey language limitations). * Unable or unwilling to provide informed consent.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Provider empathy survey | Baseline and 2-4 weeks after intervention | An 8-question empathy survey for doctors measures perspective-taking, compassionate care, and emotional connection with patients. Each item is scored on a Likert scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree). The total score ranges from 7 to 49, where a higher score indicates greater empathy. |
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORHideyo Tsumura
Duke University
Outcome results
None listed