RESPECTFUL CARE 2.0: Fixing those Blind Spots

We all believe we are providing respectful care, and yet many of the complaints after hospital births are about lack of respect and not being listened to. According to a review of sentinel events reported to the Joint Commission, failures in communication were the second leading root cause of severe maternal morbidity and mortality and the leading root cause of perinatal deaths and injuries.(1) In a 2019 study of birthing people, 17.3% overall experienced 1 or more types of mistreatment; discrimination along racial lines was reported by 32.8% of indigenous, 25% of Hispanic, 22.5% of black, and 14.1% of white birthing persons.(2) Sometimes bias and discrimination are blatant, but more often they are subtle and unconscious. Further, patient dissatisfaction has been associated with increased litigation. This workshop is about raising the bar to a new level of awareness, respect, and conscious behavioral change.

Purpose:  In this hands-on, participatory workshop, attendees will have the opportunity to examine their unconscious behaviors and identify blind-spots in their communications skills.  Through role-playing and discussion, attendees will hone their skills and establish enhanced techniques of respectful verbal and nonverbal communication.
Intended Participants:  Doctors, PAs, NPs, Midwives, Nurses, Techs, Unit Coordinators, EMTs, Paramedics, Social Workers, Students (medical, nursing, etc.)
Time Frame:  5 hours (with breaks)
Cost:  $150/ participant (minimum: 8), plus travel expenses for HBA faculty

References:

1.  Brennan RA, Keohane CA. How communication among members of the health care team affects maternal morbidity and mortality. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2016;45(6):878–884 [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

2. Vedam, Saraswathi, et al. "The Giving Voice to Mothers study: inequity and mistreatment during pregnancy and childbirth in the United States." Reproductive Health 16.1 (2019): 1-18.