JPE 35.1 The Integration of Doula Care: Exploring Doulas’ Role in Addressing Maternal Health Disparities Through Collaborative Practice

This article explores the scope of practice of doulas and their significant role in addressing the maternity health-care crisis. A comprehensive literature review examines the impact of doulas on maternal and newborn outcomes, emphasizing the development of community and hospital-based programs that aim to reduce disparities, improve access to care, and promote culturally sensitive practices for marginalized communities. Furthermore, this article explores the collaborative care model between doulas and the maternity healthcare team—nurses, midwives, and obstetricians— emphasizing its benefits in improving maternal and newborn outcomes, enhancing patient and provider satisfaction, and addressing health-care disparities. Additionally, it aims to identify the challenges that hinder effective collaboration and propose strategies to overcome these barriers, fostering a more cohesive and patient-centered approach to maternity care.

Participants may earn 1.0 Lamaze Contact Hours for reading the articles and completing the quiz.