Listen to the new Obstetrics Podcast!

"Ob Hospitalist Group logo | OBHG"

Listen to the new Obstetrics Podcast!

  • Home
  • Hospital Leaders
    • Hospital Leaders
    • Program Overview
    • Better Outcomes
    • Risk Management and Quality
      • OBHG University
    • Program Location Map
    • Case Studies
    • Example RFP
    • Partner With Us
  • Clinicians
    • Clinicians
    • OBHG Clinician Lifestyle
      • Clinician Benefits
    • OBHG Clinician Roles
    • OBHG Clinician Profiles
    • Community Physician Partners
    • Recruiting Map
      • Job Listings
    • Join Our Team
  • Patients
    • Patients
    • Patient Advantages
    • Billing Resources
    • Patient Feedback
  • About
    • About
    • Our History
    • Awards and Distinctions
    • Progress Notes
    • Testimonials
    • Leadership
    • Non-clinical career opportunities
  • Contact
  • Blog
    • Blog
    • Podcasts
  • Media
    • Media
    • News Releases
    • News Stories
    • Media Resources
  • Industry Insights

Addressing cultural bias in labor & delivery

08/05/20

Addressing cultural bias in labor & delivery

Cultural diversity is one of this country’s defining characteristics. And yet, cultural bias and discrimination in health care is an unfortunate reality. Patients often feel underrepresented when it comes to their own care or the care of their family members.

Clinicians and health care professionals need to understand the mindset that contributes to bias in care and what can be done to curb instances of discrimination. Dr. Alissa Erogbogbo, Medical Director of Operations with Ob Hospitalist Group, has witnessed these issues firsthand in her career as an OB/GYN and physician leader.

Listen to Dr. Erogbogbo discuss this topic on the Obstetrics Podcast:

“I had a patient who needed help with prenatal care, who was very shy, very nervous to give the information she needed to give. It took a few coaching moments with her, and helping her understand she can trust me, for her to be able to give me some true background information,” says Erogbogbo.

“The first thing she said was, ‘I really felt I was going to be judged by the nursing staff, by the physicians.’ It brought on a different spin of how we, as clinicians, welcome patients and talk with patients.”

Clear communication is key

One way to prevent bias in care is to maintain a direct line of clear communication between patients and health care staff—whether clinicians, nurses or front-office personnel.

Erogbogbo cites another example where an African American women pregnant with twins experienced judgment based on an insurance versus cash payment misunderstanding. The woman was covered by her own insurance, but care costs were being covered by a third party.

Unfortunately, she was met with bias that could have been avoided had there been better communication on the part of the staff. “After things cleared, the patient was fine. She understood. But, those are the types of situations where there’s prejudgment and not knowing the whole backstory before making a comment,” says Erogbogbo.

“As clinicians, as caregivers, we always need to take a step back and ask questions first before we proceed with any type of judgment or course of action for that patient.”

Statistics reveal disparities

Research comparisons between African American women and caucasian women during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and post-pregnancy reveal clear disparities in infant mortality rates, death due to complications related to low birth weight, and more. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services published the most recent statistics available to be:

  • African Americans have 2.3 times the infant mortality rate as non-Hispanic whites
  • African American infants are 3.8 times as likely to die from complications related to low birth weight as compared to non-Hispanic white infants
  • African Americans had over twice the sudden infant death syndrome mortality rate as non-Hispanic whites, in 2017
  • In 2017, African American mothers were 2.3 times more likely than non-Hispanic white mothers to receive late or no prenatal care

Erogbogbo also notes that language barriers can be a contributor to underlying bias, in communities where there are large non-English speaking populations.

Awareness & education

Education is the foundation for ensuring that clinicians become aware of their own implicit bias, and many platforms offer surveys and diversity training for medical staff – but it should extend to the community as well.

Erogbogbo suggests holding town hall meetings to ensure community members are well-informed about the services provided, or pairing hospitals with clinics to help staff better understand the area’s demographics and accompanying need.

“We want people to understand and see that the hospital is really working towards making sure everyone is taken care of. That we’re really looking at what can be done in that community for each and every citizen, and no one is going to be left behind.”

Dont forget to share this post!

Related Posts

10/10/19
OBHG clinician’s article addresses cultural bias in labor and delivery
10/19/18
Dr. Alissa Erogbogbo on life as an MDO

Categories

Clinical recruiting
COVID-19
Hospital partner stories
Industry issues
New hospital partnerships
OB/GYN residents
OBHG physicians
The Obstetrics Podcast
Uncategorized

Tags

Bias board-eligible OB/GYNs careers COVID-19 Diplomat Diplomat program Discrimination Hospitalist lifestyle Job opportunities Las Vegas leadership Maternal care Maternal mortality OB hospitalist obhg.com obstetrics Obstetrics Podcast physicians recruiting residents

Archives

2021

2020 Progress Notes highlights OBHG’s clinical leadership
Choosing a partner for OB/GYN coverage? Top factors to consider
Latest OBHG partnership: South Georgia Medical Center
OBHG’s Dr. Esther Koai named physician of the year
Latest OBHG partnership: Memorial Hospital at Gulfport
Leapfrog’s Best Maternity Hospitals 2020
The Joint Commission begins to report hospital C-section rates
First 2021 partnership: Overland Park Medical Center
15 reasons hospitals work with OBHG
Is 2021 the year you’ll become an OB hospitalist?
It’s our anniversary! Celebrating 15 years
The Obstetrics Podcast: Partnering with a local OB/GYN vs. a national group for OB coverage

2020

Latest OBHG partnership: Blessing Hospital
A shot of hope: OBHG clinicians across the nation receive COVID-19 vaccine
Latest OBHG partnership: Southwest General Hospital
What will it take to reverse the rising maternal mortality rate in the U.S.?
OBHG supports new action plan to improve U.S. maternal health
The Obstetrics Podcast: When physicians assume leadership roles
Implementation deadline approaches for The Joint Commission’s perinatal safety standards
OBHG clinicians contribute to industry report on better maternal health care
Latest OBHG partnership: St. Agnes Hospital
Latest OBHG partnership: Henrico Doctors’ Hospital
Latest OBHG partnership: StoneSprings Hospital Center
OBHG announces Excellence in Clinical Leadership Award honorees
VIDEO – Milwaukee’s first OB hospitalist program
Nine months later: Mercy Medical Center leadership speaks about the benefits of an OBHG partnership
Latest OBHG partnership: Chesapeake Regional Medical Center
Discover the OBHG difference: See what sets us apart
Latest OBHG partnership: Ascension SE Wisconsin-St. Joseph Campus
The Obstetrics Podcast: From a private OB/GYN – Hospitalists are the future of OB services
Latest OBHG partnership: Mercy Southwest Hospital
Latest OBHG partnership: East Jefferson General Hospital 
Addressing cultural bias in labor & delivery
Supporting our clinicians during the pandemic
OBHG publishes study: COVID-19 in pregnant women across the United States
Setting the L&D bar high: Florida hospital partners with OBHG upon L&D inception
Latest OBHG partnership: St. Rose Dominican Hospital – Siena Campus
Welcome to Las Vegas! Hiring OB/GYNs for new program
The Obstetrics Podcast: The Changing Healthcare Liability Market – How Hospitals and Healthcare Providers Should Respond
(VIDEO): Clinical OB leadership during the pandemic and every day
The Obstetrics Podcast: What Hospital Leaders Need to Know About Maternal Levels of Care
Latest OBHG partnership: Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital
The Obstetrics Podcast: What it’s like to be a traveling OB/GYN
Congratulations to our most recent You Delivered! winners
Seeking career stability? Now is a good time to transition
The Obstetrics Podcast: Bedside manner in the age of COVID-19
OBHG COVID-19 patient encounters continue to increase
Latest OBHG partnership: Lowell General Hospital
Latest OBHG partnership: Odessa Regional Medical Center
Hospital obstetrics trends on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic
Hospital obstetrics on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic: Patient visits
Latest OBHG partnership: Baptist Health Louisville
Latest OBHG partnership: AMITA Health Saint Joseph Medical Center – Joliet
Latest OBHG partnership: University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center
Latest OBHG partnership: Grandview Medical Center
Latest OBHG partnership: Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Alliance
OBHG’s You Delivered! recipients
Latest OBHG partnership: Los Robles Regional Medical Center
Launching an OB/GYN hospitalist career right out of residency
Latest OBHG partnership: Mercy Medical Center
Latest OBHG partnership: Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital
Latest OBHG partnership: Memorial Satilla Health
New decade, new career! Here’s why you should consider becoming an OBHG hospitalist
Latest OBHG partnership: Doctors Hospital
INFOGRAPHIC: OBHG’s 2019 Year in Review
We are thrilled to announce the launch of OBHG’s newly revamped website!
Latest OBHG partnership: Emanuel Medical Center
Latest OBHG partnership: EvergreenHealth Medical Center

2019

Latest OBHG partnership: Texas Health Frisco
Latest OBHG partnership: Kendall Regional Medical Center
Bumpin’: The Modern Guide to Pregnancy
Latest OBHG partnership: St. Luke’s University Hospital Bethlehem
OBHG’s Chief Medical Officer weighs in on Joint Commission’s maternal health standards
Latest OBHG partnership: Adventist Health Glendale
Latest OBHG partnership: Hendrick Medical Center
Northwest Medical Center partners with OBHG for multi-million-dollar maternity unit expansion
How hospitals can handle pregnancy loss better
To save new mothers, we need to rethink care delivery
OBHG physician weighs in on Florida job opportunities
OBHG partnership featured in Mercy Hospital Fort Smith article
The latest recipients of OBHG’s You Delivered! awards
The OB/GYN shortage is here, hospitalist programs can help
Leading the OB hospitalist profession at industry event
OBHG’s Dr. Nicolai Hinds writes about the medical illiteracy epidemic
OBHG clinician’s article addresses cultural bias in labor and delivery
Latest OBHG partnership: Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center
Latest OBHG partnership: Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus
Latest OBHG partnership: Porter Regional Hospital
Latest OBHG partnership: Volunteer Hospital
Celebrating our certified nurse midwives
Latest OBHG partnership: St. Lucie Medical Center
Latest OBHG partnership: Lawrence General Hospital
Protecting our patients from surprise medical bills
Latest OBHG partnership: Methodist Children’s Hospital
Helping our hospital partners prepare for the new Joint Commission standards
Case study: OBHG partnership enhances community OB/GYN quality of life
OBHG physicians honored by medical students, residents
OBHG clinician recommends OB hospitalists as wraparound service
Latest OBHG partnership: CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Medical Center-Longview
Life as an OBHG MDO: Dr. Kevin Burlison
OBHG to launch three new programs in South Carolina
Choosing OB hospitalist medicine after residency
OBHG named to Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing companies for the seventh consecutive year
Latest OBHG partnership: USC Verdugo Hills Hospital
Latest OBHG partnership: Houston Methodist Sugar Land
ACOG and SMFM release new perspective on maternal levels of care
Latest OBHG partnership: CHRISTUS St. Michael
OBHG announces first program in Ohio
Latest OBHG partnership: Chester County Hospital
Ob Hospitalist Group celebrates 1,000 employee milestone
OBHG’s You Delivered! peer recognition award recipients
OBHG partnership enables OB/GYN and midwifery practices to thrive
Postpartum pain relief
Infographic: maternal mortality in the U.S.
Sunshine state opportunities – new OB/GYN jobs in Florida!
New OBHG partnership: St. Charles Medical Center
OBHG clinicians honored for outstanding work
Eliminating the weekend effect to improve maternal outcomes
From Forbes: Meet OBHG and the future of medicine
Forbes editorial supports OB hospitalist concept
Podcast with OBHG’s chief medical officer about maternal mortality, physician burnout and more
New OBHG partnership: Mercy Hospital Fort Smith
New OBHG partnership: Nicklaus Children’s Hospital
Celebrating Healthcare Risk Management Week
Ways physicians can be more inclusive for LGBTQ+ patients
OBHG partnership supports family practice residency program when emergencies arise
Mercy Hospital Fort Smith sees positive impacts of new OBHG program in less than a week
New OBHG partnership: Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital
OBHG’s 2019 Progress Notes highlights hospital partner successes, important industry topics and more
Hospital CMO describes risk of hospital-run 24/7 L&D coverage
New OBHG partnership: AMITA Adventist Medical Center Hinsdale
Oklahoma hospital creates video about its OB hospitalist program
Ob Hospitalist Group expands executive team leadership
OBHG physician honored as Clinical Liaison of the Year
ACOG 2019 was a great success – see you next year in Seattle!
National Women’s Health Week: Three ways OB hospitalists make childbirth safer for women
New OBHG partnership: McLeod Regional Medical Center
Three in five pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. are preventable
Congratulations to our You Delivered! award recipients
Improving women’s health care, one hospital at a time
Opportunities in the Lone Star State: New OB/GYN jobs in Texas!
New OBHG partnership: Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital
Is labor coming once a woman loses her mucus plug?
OBHG physician interviewed about ‘Team Birth Project’ aimed at improving birth outcomes
We’ll be at the Annual Meeting in Nashville
New OBHG partnership: Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center
Fetal heart rate monitoring training important for labor and delivery staff
Tennessee must take steps to prevent maternal deaths
OB hospitalists – the standard of care for hospitals
Physician burnout is a serious matter, but not unsolvable
Join us @ the ACOOG Conference in NOLA March 24-29
Be our guest in Nashville on May 4!
What services do OBHG hospitalists provide? (A hospital partner’s viewpoint)
Listening to our customers – the results of our recent hospital partner survey
Dr. Jane van Dis discusses TIME’S UP Healthcare campaign
OBHG celebrates the first National Hospitalist Day!
OBHG site director quoted about hospital’s efforts to reduce maternal risks
Hospitalist partnership helps OB/GYNs achieve greater work-life balance and boosts patient safety
The need for more personal space later in pregnancy
A decade of elevating women’s healthcare!
The OB hospitalist model from a nurse’s perspective
Washington State section of ACOG selects OBHG hospitalist for leadership role
An OBHG hospitalist on the value of simulation training
OBHG hospitalists participating in national C-section reduction pilot in Bellevue, Wash.
OBHG announces inaugural program in Massachusetts!
Obstetric hospitalists can screen for postpartum depression
How to prepare for Texas’ new maternal care levels
New OBHG partnership: Baylor Scott & White-Frisco
How OBHG is boosting clinical engagement through technology
Why OBHG has standardized fetal heart rate monitoring across partner hospitals
OBHG hospitalist honored as provider of the month at Valley Medical Center
Top takeaways from this year’s J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference
New OBHG partnership: Lafayette General Health
New OBHG partnership: Prince William Medical Center
Four ways healthcare organizations can prepare for new maternal care designations
New OBHG partnership: Johnston Willis Hospital
OBHG Q3 2018 winners of You Delivered! award
New OBHG partnership: Palmetto Health Baptist
New year, new career! Top 5 reasons to become an OB hospitalist
New OBHG partnership: UHS Wilson Medical Center
New OBHG partnership: TriStar Centennial Medical Center
OBHG hospitalists deliver New Year’s Day babies

2018

OB hospitalists give the gift of time this holiday season
OBHG celebrates 10-year anniversary with Memorial Hospital Jacksonville
OBHG clinicians support maternal levels of care in Illinois State-Journal Register
How can hospitals prevent OB burnout at the holidays?
Traveling full circle – Dr. Amy VanBlaricom
OBHG supports maternal mortality legislation H.R. 1318/S. 1112
OBHG clinician featured in Inside Edition story about patient who gave birth in her car
OBHG is now hiring residents!
New program: The Hospitals of Providence East Campus
New OBHG partnership: Carroll Hospital Center
The OB hospitalist’s role in the critical care team
Rethinking the delivery of maternal care
New OBHG program proves its worth on day one
Welcoming our new recruiters!
Honoring our veterans
Ob Hospitalist Group announces new headquarters relocation
New OBHG partnership: WakeMed Hospital North
How an OB Emergency Department can help reduce perinatal adverse events
Case study: OBHG partnership elevates patient safety by implementing consistent standard of care
New OBHG partnership: WakeMed Cary Hospital
OBHG celebrates Healthcare Quality Week
OBHG urges House Ways and Means Committee to consider improved approach to childbirth safety
Dr. Alissa Erogbogbo on life as an MDO
Energizing our leaders – OBHG’s National Clinical Leadership Meeting
Congress demands answers from health systems on rising maternal deaths, and we’ve got a solution
OBHG nurse midwives offer tips for making smoother hospital transitions
OBHG hospitalists named to SOGH board of directors
New OBHG partnership: Plantation General Hospital
Meet up with OBHG at ASHRM2018
U.S. needs new approach to labor and delivery to protect pregnant mothers
Recognizing National Midwifery Week 2018
Two OBHG employees win “You Delivered!” quarterly awards
Dr. Charrell Thomas – 10 years of transforming care!
OBHG’s CARE program addresses second victim phenomenon, covered by Ob Gyn News
Visit us at SOGH 2018
New OBHG partnership: TriStar Summit Medical Center
OBHG’s CARE peer support program gets industry attention
New OBHG partnership: The Hospitals of Providence Memorial Campus
Neonatal Nurses Help Make Miracles Happen Every Day
Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital
OBHG hospitalist supports patient through high-risk delivery
Be Your Child’s Advocate for Newborn Screening
Read about our latest launch in El Paso, Texas
OBHG announces new Diplomat travel program
New OBHG partnership: St. Mary’s Hospital
New OBHG partnership: St. Mary’s Hospital
Congratulations to our hospital partners recently recognized as “top hospitals”
New OBHG partnership: Memorial Hospital North
OBHG celebrates 10-year anniversary of partnership with St. David’s North Austin Medical Center
OBHG named to Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies for sixth year
Three ways that healthcare companies can minimize risk
Dr. Elliott Roberts on the hospitalist lifestyle
OBHG Chief Medical Officer featured in American Association for Physician Leadership
New OBHG partnership: Norman Regional Hospital
Four ways hospital leaders can confront the projected OB shortage
OBHG CEO quoted in Chief Executive
The Hospitalist features OBHG CARE program
New OBHG partnership in Murrieta, CA, featured in news
OBHG publishes first Progress Notes report
How OBHG’s online community brings clinicians together
Celebrating a decade-long partnership: Winter Haven Hospital
In Texas, reducing maternal mortality will take an aggressive shift in approach
OBHG announces first program in Maryland
What would happen if OBHG hospitalists weren’t there?
In the news: OBHG / Good Samaritan Hospital partnership
New OBHG program: Loma Linda University Medical Center
Seeking skilled OB/GYNs: current hospitalist openings
OBHG shares financial risk for evidence-based quality performance
Reaping the benefits of community midwife outreach
New OBHG program: Aurora West Allis Medical Center
OBHG partners with CHRISTUS Spohn-South to deliver the highest standard of women’s care
From the flip side: Former private-practice OB/GYN talks about renewed partnership
New OBHG program: Carolinas HealthCare System University
OBHG hospitalist on second victim trauma for KevinMD.com
New CARE program receives national press
How do OBHG hospitalists partner with community OB/GYNs?
Hard Cases: When the Hard Case is One’s Self
Safety first – this month and every month!
OBHG celebrates International Day of the Midwife 2018
What your hospital is missing with a DIY OB hospitalist program
OBHG highlighted in interview with Norman Regional Health System CEO
New OBHG program: Metropolitan Methodist Hospital
Join us for dinner in Louisville!
Case study: OBHG partnership takes women’s hospital from perilous to prosperous
What it’s really like to be an OBHG partner
New OBHG program: North Central Baptist Hospital
New OBHG program: Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center
Dr. Rakhi Dimino addresses maternal mortality in Houston Chronicle op-ed
OBHG’s Dr. Jaynes featured on ACOG TV
New OBHG program: Baylor Scott & White-McKinney
Family-centered C-section can change birth experience
The Toliver’s story: Happy mom, happy baby.
Be our guest in Austin April 28
Recognizing the inaugural Black Maternal Health Week
New OBHG program featured in local news story
Obstetrician hospitalist partnerships can reduce risk of medical malpractice claims, burnout
New OBHG program: Our Lady of Lourdes
OBHG expert weighs in: Best medical schools for OB/GYNs
Q4 2017 ‘You Delivered!’ award recipients announced
Honoring a sacred calling: National Doctors’ Day 2018
New OBHG program: MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center
Opioids after delivery: Addressing postpartum pain relief without feeding addiction
A wealth of expertise: Hospitalist Dr. Lydia Sims
March is Trisomy Awareness Month
OBHG hospitalist quoted in Reader’s Digest article
Upcoming Events 2018
Patient Safety Awareness Week 2018
Endometriosis increases risk for pregnancy complications
Redefining ‘special delivery’: Benefits of obstetrical emergency care units
Leadership in Action: Dr. Deborah Bowers
Dynamic Director of Hospital Operations: Kristen Fuentealba
MDO on the move: Dr. Charles Rollison
Decreasing cesareans: VBAC and patient empowerment
40,000 infants born with congenital heart defects every year
OBHG announces first program in Connecticut
Why choose OBHG over an in-house option?
Leadership in Action: Dr. Becky Graham
Ovarian cysts: Causes, symptoms, and treatments
California OBHG hospital partners make 2017 C-section honor roll
OBHG’s Dr. Mark Simon quoted in Parents Magazine article on flu vaccines
OBHG employee delivers first child at OBHG partner hospital St. Francis Eastside
Dr. Mark Simon publishes flu shot article on STAT News
American Health Council welcomes OBHG certified nurse midwife to nursing board
Folic acid should be priority for all women of childbearing age
Collaboration with hospitalists, rather than competition, improves patient care
OBHG hospitalist quoted in NBC News article on delivery room disparities
OBHG Medical Director of Operations sharpens leadership skills for enhanced partnership

GET BLOG UPDATES


Patients

Patient Resources

Clinicians

Join Our Team

Hospital leaders

Partner With Us

HELPFUL LINKS

Home

About

Patients

Contact

Clinicians

Blog

CONTACT US

Phone: 864.908.3530

Toll Free: 800.967.2289

Fax: 864.627.9920

CONNECT

GET BLOG UPDATES

Medical Privacy

CCPA

Website Privacy

Usage

© 2021 OB Hospitalist Group

OB Hospitalist Group BBB Business Review