Provider Perceptions of Maternal Health Disparities in Georgia [ID 1395]

INTRODUCTION: Recognizing that experiences of interpersonal racism during obstetric care contribute to adverse maternal outcomes, we aimed to characterize health care providers’ attitudes and beliefs about maternal health disparities and their causes. METHODS: We conducted a web-based survey of obstetric care providers in Georgia (physicians, fellows, residents, nurse practitioners, and midwives) between August 2023 and January 2024. We recruited participants at professional meetings and via emails and newsletters sent by professional societies to their membership. The survey consisted of 72 items pertaining to beliefs and knowledge on maternal health disparities, organizational racial climate, empathy, and color evasion (ie, colorblind ideologies of “I don’t see race”). RESULTS: A total of 442 providers completed the survey. After removing responses that failed validity checks, 283 surveys were analyzed. Using a Likert scale (1 = strong disagreement, 6 = strong agreement), many providers believed that racism and discrimination contribute to maternal health disparities in Georgia (mean 4.8±1.0) and that their personal biases affect patient care (mean 4.0±1.5). However, some providers reported that Black women exaggerate their pain more often than White women (mean 2.6±1.7) and that Black women are less cooperative than White women during medical procedures (mean 2.9±1.8). We also found overall agreement with statements reflecting color evasion (eg, “There is only one race, the human race”; mean 4.3±1.4). CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: Despite understanding that racism contributes to adverse maternal outcomes, some Georgia providers endorsed racially biased perceptions of Black women. We also found notably high rates of racial colorblindness, which may further reinforce personal bias and racial injustice.