Specialty (if any): OBGYN 

Keywords: (include up to 3 keywords that reflect that content of the abstract) doula, medical student, curriculum 

Background: The maternal mortality rate in the United States is abysmal, but research shows that doula care can significantly improve patient outcome and experience. Additionally, DGSOM medical students have shortened OBGYN rotations. Students, regardless of future career, can benefit from hands-on advocacy and interdisciplinary training. We created a curriculum to train medical students as doulas to improve emotional intelligence and offer a broader exposure to the field of obstetrics.  

Objectives: By the end of the program students will understand the basics of pregnancy and childbirth physiology, be able to facilitate interdisciplinary conversations, and will be comfortable advocating for patients.  

Design: The volunteer training program is a four-step process. First, shadowing must be completed with midwives at Santa Monica Hospital. Second, learners complete asynchronous learning modules covering basic pregnancy and childbirth physiology. Third, a half-day training session facilitated by a local doula organization will take place. Lastly, the doula participates in a SIM session designed to teach interprofessional communication, client education, and emergency support. 

Impact/Effectiveness: A multiple methods evaluation will be done from a sample of the pilot cohort. These students will complete a pre and post training survey and participate in a focus group. There will be a qualitative analysis of focus group transcript and a descriptive analysis of survey results. Patients receiving doula support will also fill out a survey regarding their experience. This information will be compiled and analyzed. 

Lessons Learned: This is a multidisciplinary program that will impact medical students, labor and delivery nurses, midwives, OB/Gyns, and patients. To address concerns, multiple stakeholder meetings were held, feedback was received and then implemented. 

Summary: While the program will start at Santa Monica Hospital and at first include only medical students, there are pathways to expand to other UCLA hospitals as well as potential to include public health and nursing students as volunteers.