Storytelling for Provider Empathy & Patient Trust in Obstetric Care

NCT07588308 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: Pro00119113A-3942
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 120
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Aim 3 is a provider-focused pilot randomized controlled trial evaluating a digital storytelling intervention to increase obstetric care providers' empathy and to examine associations with postpartum patient trust. Providers randomized to the intervention view a video of Black women's labor pain and care experiences and complete a brief reflection; control providers receive general culturally sensitive care materials. Outcomes include change in provider empathy (primary) and patient trust among Black postpartum patients under those providers' care (secondary). Risks are minimal and mitigated via consent, voluntary participation, the option to skip questions, and secure data practices.

Conditions

Pregnancy; Labor Pain

Keywords

Empathy; Cultural Competency; Provider-Patient Relations; Trust

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Provider empathy survey

  An 8-question empathy survey for doctors measures perspective-taking, compassionate care, and emotional connection with patients. Each item is scored on a Likert scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree). The total score ranges from 7 to 49, where a higher score indicates greater empathy.

  Baseline and 2-4 weeks after intervention

Study Arms (2)

Storytelling Intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

Obstetric care providers view a digital storytelling video of Black women's labor pain and obstetric care experiences and complete a brief written reflection.

Behavioral: Digital storytelling video + written reflection

Control - Culturally Sensitive Materials

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Obstetric care providers receive general written information about culturally sensitive care.

Behavioral: General culturally sensitive care materials

Interventions

Digital storytelling video + written reflection BEHAVIORAL

Providers in the intervention arm watch a digital storytelling video and complete a brief written reflection to ensure engagement.

Storytelling Intervention

General culturally sensitive care materials BEHAVIORAL

Providers in the control arm receive general written information about culturally sensitive care.

Control - Culturally Sensitive Materials

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Provider Participants:
• Licensed clinician employed or credentialed at Duke Health Birthing Centers (nurse, anesthesia care provider, obstetrician, or nurse midwife).
• In clinical practice for at least 6 months post-orientation.
• Able to read and understand English.
• Patient Participants:
• Self-identified non-Hispanic Black American women.
• Age ≥18 years.
• Able to read and converse in English.
• Receiving obstetric care from a provider who is already enrolled in the study.

You may not qualify if:

• Provider Participants:
• Providers in training or with \<6 months independent clinical practice.
• Providers unwilling or unable to give informed consent.
• Patient Participants:
• Under 18 years of age.
• Non-English speakers (due to study survey language limitations).
• Unable or unwilling to provide informed consent.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Duke University: lead
• Rita & Alex Hillman Foundation: collaborator

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Labor Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Hideyo Tsumura

  Duke University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 8, 2026
• First Posted: May 14, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Last Updated: May 14, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share