Date of Award
5-2016
Degree Type
Research Paper
Degree Name
Master of Arts in International Development and Social Change (IDSC)
Department
International Development, Community and Environment
Chief Instructor
Marianne Sarkis
Second Reader
David Bell
Keywords
doulas, Birth Sisters, Boston Medical Center, cultural competency, foreign born women's pregnancy and postpartum experience
Abstract
Doulas act as a cultural bridge between clients and providers through the support, advocacy, and education they provide. Unfortunately, migrant women may be at a disadvantage for accessing and benefiting from their services due to a variety of socioeconomic and cultural factors including predisposed ideas of care and structure based on experiences in native countries, language barriers, lower health literacy, and a lack of awareness and understanding from hospital/clinic staff.
A strategic multifaceted approach utilizing doulas, such as Boston Medical Center’s collaborative and culturally competent model, may greatly improve foreign-born women’s experience and satisfaction with healthcare when pregnant and giving birth in the United States.
Recommended Citation
Kazik, Crystal, "Doulas could Improve Foreign-Born Women’s Perinatal and Postpartum Satisfaction and Increase Health Providers’ Cultural Competency in a Multicultural Urban Area of the United States." (2016). Sustainability and Social Justice. 68.
https://commons.clarku.edu/idce_masters_papers/68
Included in
International and Intercultural Communication Commons, Maternal and Child Health Commons, Maternal, Child Health and Neonatal Nursing Commons, Nursing Midwifery Commons, Obstetrics and Gynecology Commons, Sociology of Culture Commons
