Doulas as community health workers: lessons learned from a volunteer program |
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| Authors: | Kane Low Lisa Moffat Amy Brennan Patty |
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| Institution: | LISA KANE LOW is the volunteer Director of the Doulas Care program at the Center for the Childbearing Year in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She is also on the faculty in the Women's Studies Program and School of Nursing at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and a practicing certified nurse midwife. |
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| Abstract: | Doulas, women who primarily provide social support during childbirth, have been associated with a number of positive health outcomes. Because the primary model of practice for doulas is a fee-for-service model in which families privately hire a doula, many expectant women who could benefit from doula support are unable to access the service. The Doulas Care program, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, represents one model in which doulas provide services without charge. As a result of their extended role in the community, doulas who work with the Doulas Care program have unique educational needs. Through the use of focus groups with the program's volunteer doulas, educational needs related to overcoming barriers to being a doula working in the community were identified. Recommendations for education and training are made to improve the support doulas offer as community health outreach workers. |
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