Multidisciplinary Education: Piloting an Unconscious Bias-Maternal Mortality Curriculum in Obstetrics [A63]

INTRODUCTION: Racial and ethnic minority women are vulnerable to biases which can limit timely delivery and quality of care. Unconscious bias training (UCB) is recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Council on Patient Safety, and the Tennessee Maternal Mortality Committee to potentially reduce provider bias and racial/ethnic health disparities. METHODS: We piloted a virtual 90-minute UCB-Maternal Mortality (MM) curriculum to empower obstetrics and gynecology providers to: (1) understand the science of unconscious bias, and (2) recognize racial/ethnic disparities in obstetrics. Utilizing didactic videos and small-group discussion, participants were expected to identify: (1) the role of bias in decision-making, and (2) equitable strategies to reduce disparate outcomes for women with preeclampsia. Pre- and-post-test surveys were used to assess knowledge regarding UCB-MM and intent to change current practices. Vanderbilt University Medical Center Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. RESULTS: Eleven workshops were conducted at four hospitals from May to July 2021. A total of 229 faculty/trainees, nurses, and staff attended workshops. Post-workshop survey respondents were significantly more likely to recognize a framework for mitigating bias (P=.0142). Ninety-seven percent of posttest respondents reported they will adopt/modify a strategy when communicating with patients from different cultures/backgrounds/languages after workshop completion. No significant differences in pre- and post-workshop knowledge regarding healthcare disparities in MM were identified. Protocol adherence, education, and patient follow-up were identified as strategies to reduce disparities during the management of preeclampsia. CONCLUSION: Further study is necessary to determine efficacy of the MM education delivered in the virtual curriculum. Additionally, follow-up surveys to assess impact on behavior and long-term knowledge retention are warranted.