from concept to development
The Beginning...
Recognizing the imminent danger of pregnant and birthing black Moms in the State of Georgia and understanding that innovation was imperative; the journey of the Respectful Maternity Care Simulator design team began.
The Respectful Maternity Care Simulator (TM) concept was initially submitted to a design team of healthcare advocates, providers and professionals during the Atlanta Better Maternal Outcomes - Action Lab facilitated by the Institute of Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and funded through Merck for Mothers in August 2019.
With an Equity Action Lab grant awarded to the Center for Black Women's Wellness by IHI, First TEAM America and The Center for Family and Community Wellness led the development of the Simulation experience. The initial design team included research scientists, moms, OB-GYNs, hospital staff, registered nurses, doulas, midwives and medical school professors. Research was conducted of pregnant and postpartum Moms in Atlanta, GA. This research coupled with numerous case studies provided by physicians, nurses, hospital and clinic staff, families of deceased women, Moms of deceased infants, community health workers, doulas and midwives provided the necessary foundation to design the simulation experience.
In November 2020, the first Simulator was conducted in Charlotte, North Carolina with 12 participants. The design team utilized the PDSA (Plan, Do, Study, Act- Quality Improvement) method to evaluate and modify the design. In December 2020, the second Simulator was conducted in Atlanta, GA with over 45 public health, medical, nursing, public policy and social work students of Emory University, Morehouse School of Medicine, Georgia State University, Mercer University and Clayton State University. Since that time, several simulators have been held with students and professors of public health, social work, nursing and medical schools, hospital staff and providers, corporate leaders, staff and providers of community health centers, community health workers, families and community members. (For a complete list, please see the Participants section on this site. Thank you.)
Respectful Maternity Care - defined
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines respectful maternity care (RMC) as care that prioritizes the dignity, privacy, and confidentiality of pregnant and birthing women. RMC also ensures that women are free from harm and mistreatment, and that they are able to make informed decisions and receive ongoing support during labor and childbirth. RMC is a fundamental human right for all women. It can help improve women's experiences of labor and childbirth and address health inequalities.