Date of Presentation
5-4-2023 12:00 AM
College
School of Osteopathic Medicine
Poster Abstract
Background: Doulas are trained non-clinical professionals that provide continuous support to a pregnant mother from the prenatal to postpartum period. Presence of a doula has been shown to benefit both mother and newborn health.
Purpose: To determine what prevents doula utilization in New Jersey.
Methods: A review of the current literature about doulas, mothers, clinicians, and legislation in other states was conducted. This included qualitative and quantitative data gathered in the United States.
Results: The most significant barrier from both the mother’s and doula’s perspectives is cost. Besides cost, diversity and number of doulas is low. A major barrier to integration into formal healthcare besides insurance coverage is clinician relationships and understanding of the doula’s role.
Conclusion: Doulas are underutilized in the United States despite proven benefits. Increased access to doula care needs to be supported by state legislatures, insurance, and hospital systems, as well as clinicians in those settings.
Keywords
Doulas, Health Services Research, Health Care Costs, Pregnant Women
Disciplines
Alternative and Complementary Medicine | Health and Medical Administration | Health Economics | Maternal and Child Health | Medicine and Health Sciences | Obstetrics and Gynecology | Women's Health
Document Type
Poster
Included in
Alternative and Complementary Medicine Commons, Health and Medical Administration Commons, Health Economics Commons, Maternal and Child Health Commons, Obstetrics and Gynecology Commons, Women's Health Commons
Barriers to Doula Use in New Jersey after 2021 Medicaid Coverage Expansion
Background: Doulas are trained non-clinical professionals that provide continuous support to a pregnant mother from the prenatal to postpartum period. Presence of a doula has been shown to benefit both mother and newborn health.
Purpose: To determine what prevents doula utilization in New Jersey.
Methods: A review of the current literature about doulas, mothers, clinicians, and legislation in other states was conducted. This included qualitative and quantitative data gathered in the United States.
Results: The most significant barrier from both the mother’s and doula’s perspectives is cost. Besides cost, diversity and number of doulas is low. A major barrier to integration into formal healthcare besides insurance coverage is clinician relationships and understanding of the doula’s role.
Conclusion: Doulas are underutilized in the United States despite proven benefits. Increased access to doula care needs to be supported by state legislatures, insurance, and hospital systems, as well as clinicians in those settings.