Storytelling for Provider Empathy & Patient Trust in Obstetric Care

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Pregnancy Labor Pain Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

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.

Exclusion criteria

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.

Treatment and study plan

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.

General culturally sensitive care materials

Behavioral

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

Primary outcomes

Provider empathy survey

Time frame: Baseline and 2-4 weeks after intervention

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.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Duke University

Other

Collaborators

Rita & Alex Hillman Foundation

Registry information

Official study title

Co-Developing a Nurse-Led, Community-Engaged Intervention to Improve Labor Pain Management and Build Trust in Obstetric Care

Important dates

Study start: 2026
Primary completion: 2026
Study completion: 2026
First posted: May 14, 2026
Registry last updated: May 14, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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Completed