The Value of a Learner’s Stance: Lessons Learned from Pregnant and Parenting Women

Abstract

The voices, perspectives, and experiences of pregnant and parenting women are vital sources of information often overlooked or not understood by professionals. By the end of the poster presentation participants will: (1) understand access to maternal and child health services from the perspectives of diverse consumers; (2) utilize patients direct quotes and experiences to identify strategies to enhance the quality of access; and, (3) identify key dimensions influencing patient experiences, including health status and needs, significant others, cultural beliefs, and provider and organizational factors.Twenty-four focus groups were conducted with 143 urban women, ages 14-45, who were primarily Medicaid consumers. Maternal and child health organizations in Marion and Lake Counties providing primary or secondary services recruited African American, Caucasian, and Latina pregnant and parenting women. When possible, groups were stratified by race, ethnicity and age to encourage their engagement.The following five themes on access and quality of participants' maternal and child health experiences emerged: (1) the primary role that personable and caring health providers and staff played in accessing services; (2) provider recommendations were oftentimes discounted as irrelevant; (3) alternative health practices were motivated by a genuine desire to help themselves or their children; (4) agency practices and policies were sometimes perceived as potentially discriminatory; and , (5) consumers identified unresolved feelings regarding pregnancy.These findings can assist providers to develop genuine relationships and address the unique cultural needs of their patients. Recommended actions include assuming a learner's stance as a way of developing an increased understanding of patients' underlying motives, perceptions of alternative health practices of their patients, and identifying the role and impact of their patient's social network.

Promoting public health through community engagement: Embracing the journey

“…Students were learning to think more holistically and critically, but they were also beginning to assume a learner's stance (Humbert & Roberts, 2009). In order to take a learner's stance, students had to listen to the perspectives of community stakeholder; they had to ask clarifying questions; and, in listening and asking, they were learning about the community.…”

Postpartum Depression and Culture

“…Qualitative studies focusing on PPD in culturally diverse women, published since 2006, are listed in Table 1. Listening to the voices of culturally diverse childbearing women provides valuable data for healthcare providers (Humbert & Roberts, 2009 Interviews All primips had PPD stress and emotional distress was prevalent earrings made of garlic to deter the "evil eye" and after 40 days postpartum a celebration for the mother and newborn is held. In addition to household help and significant social support, in many cultures there are ceremonies that welcome the new mother and her newborn into society and recognize and reward the enhanced status of the mother .…”

Client experiences in a prenatal home visiting program: A prenatal care coordination program evaluation

“…Clients’ perspectives of the program were not explored. A limited number of studies on other prenatal home visiting programs did include descriptions of clients’ experiences (Humbert & Roberts, ; Jack, DiCenso, & Lohfeld, ; Landy, Jack, Wahoush, Sheehan, & MacMillan, ).…”