Storytelling for Provider Empathy & Patient Trust in Obstetric Care

N/ANot Yet RecruitingNCT07588308

Duke University120 enrolled

Overview

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.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

120

Conditions

Pregnancy Labor Pain

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

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.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Provider empathy survey

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.

Time frame: Baseline and 2-4 weeks after intervention