WELCOME TO THE
CALIFORNIA
DIGNITY IN PREGNANCY AND
CHILDBIRTH PROJECT!
Includes the Core Dignity in Pregnancy & Childbirth Course and the Refresher Course
Funded by the California Healthcare Foundation
The Core Dignity in Pregnancy & Childbirth Course Project was led by Rachel Hardeman, PhD (Project Director) and developed at Diversity Science by our Subject Matter Experts and course designers, with input from additional Subject Matter Experts.
The Refresher Course was led by Michelle van Ryn, PhD, at Diversity Science, additional Diversity Science Subject Matter Experts, and course designers, with input from additional Subject Matter Experts.
Both Courses Meet the Requirements of CA SB464: The “Dignity in Pregnancy & Childbirth” Act.
Why Do You Need These Courses?
Studies show that perinatal care clinicians and providers are generally committed to and place a high value on providing high-quality and equitable care.
Unfortunately, a large body of research shows a major gap between healthcare clinicians’ and providers’ value of equitable care and Black patients’ experiences and outcomes. A massive body of evidence shows that Black women, on average, receive poorer quality of care and have higher rates of suffering, complications, morbidity, and death than their White counterparts.
These courses will give you the tools to live your values and provide the kind of high-quality, respectful care you want for all your patients.
To Access Courses for Your Organization, Complete the Relevant License Agreement
Course Information
Core Course:
Dignity in Pregnancy & Childbirth
Must be Completed First
⏰ Duration: 60 minutes plus optional activities.
Certificate of Completion is awarded upon course completion.
After course completion, you’ll have the option to purchase an exam to earn 1 hour of CME or CE.
This course is split into three parts. Each uses the example of real-life, composite stories to illustrate how racial bias, however unintended, can undermine care. Each part also provides specific, concrete, evidence-based strategies for interrupting racial bias.
After completing the course, learners will be able to:
- Describe the research evidence on racial inequalities in care and the resulting unnecessary suffering, illness, disability, and death.
- Explain the visible and invisible ways that conscious and unconscious (implicit) racial stereotypes affected the care process for Melissa and her husband.
- Understand the connection between the historical enslavement of people from West Africa and current-day racism and stereotypes.
- Apply concrete and evidence-based actions to interrupt racial bias, help buffer patients from racial bias, and provide equitable care for all patients.
Refresher Course:
Dignity in Pregnancy & Childbirth
Completed Two Years After Core Course
⏰ Duration: 45 minutes plus optional content.
Certificate of Completion is awarded upon course completion.
After course completion, you’ll have the option to purchase an exam to earn 1 hour of CME or CE.
The course uses a series of new interactive activities to prepare learners to educate their coworkers to interrupt racial biases and live their values in the care they provide to Black women and birthing people.
After completing the course, learners will be able to:
- Teach co-workers important concepts and correct myths and misunderstandings.
- Describe the research evidence on racial inequalities in perinatal care and outcomes.
- Explain why well-intentioned providers who are consciously and genuinely committed to fairness and high-quality care can still behave in racially biased ways.
- Apply evidence-based strategies for interrupting racial biases and protecting patients from racism.