This study, “Using Concept Mapping to conceptualize risk and safety in the out-of-hospital birth setting,” is being carried out by the University of Pittsburgh.
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Are you or have you ever been a client at a birth center? If so, student researchers want to hear about your experiences!
The Midwife Center and the University of Pittsburgh are partnering to carry out a research study. The purpose of this study is to use a community-based method called Concept Mapping with birth center clients to involve them in group discussions on how they understand risk and safety in a birth center, and what aspects influence their perspective of out-of-hospital birth.
For that reason, Pitt researchers are asking adult women of childbearing age to participate in three group sessions where they will contribute to discussions about these aspects of maternity care and the birth center environment that affect their decision-making.
If you are willing to participate, you’ll be asked to contribute demographic information anonymously on paper (e.g., age, race, years of education, insurance status). In addition, you will be asked to rank certain concepts that emerge in the discussions according to how you feel about them and their influence; these scores will also be contributed anonymously on paper. There are no foreseeable risks associated with this project, nor are there any direct benefits to you.
Each participant will receive a $10 gift card at the first session, a $20 gift card at the second session, and another $10 gift card at the third and final session, as tokens of our appreciation. None of the sessions will be more than 2 hours long.
While this study does involve group discussions, the information you contribute on paper will be kept anonymous, with no identifiers attached to it. All contact information for participants is confidential and will be kept under lock and key. Your participation is voluntary, and you may withdraw from this project at any time.
This study is being conducted by Sarah Sanders, who can be reached at PittBirthResearcher@gmail.com or 412-407-5745, if you have any questions.
You are also welcome to reach out to The Midwife Center's Executive Director, Christine Haas, at 412-321-6880 if you have questions about the partnership between TMC and University of Pittsburgh.