Mixed reactions among Spanish-speaking birthing parents and companions after communication from inpatient postpartum health care team members (2023)
Undergraduates: Neha Saggi, Marisue Peralta
Faculty Advisor: Kristin Tully
Department: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Effective communication among patients, companions, and their health care team members is critical for safe, respectful care. During inpatient postpartum care, topics of communication span maternal and infant health, warning signs, and care planning. The extent to which information is clear, relevant, and culturally aligned has received little attention, and patients-companions with Limited English Proficiency navigate the intersecting challenge of access to language concordant services.
The Postnatal Patient Safety Learning Laboratory is a multidisciplinary research study to evaluate the delivery of health care that contributes to perinatal mortality and morbidity. Following UNC IRB approval (#19-1900), filming occurred on the postnatal unit of NC Women’s Hospital between August-December 2020. This analysis addresses the reactions of 6 Spanish-speaking families following health care team member communication with them in the 12 hours leading to discharge.
Sixty-six hours were coded, applying definitions of positive, confusing, and negative verbalizations within the 10-minutes after health care team members exited rooms. Birthing parents and companions discussed 20 health topics over 50 exchanges, with 4 positive reactions, 24 instances of confusion, and 14 negative reactions. Findings suggest that interpretation services should be more readily accessible and, broadly, there is opportunity for more connection and meaningful communication for equitable health services.
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