Perceptions of positive and negative clinician communication in obstetrical visits from the perspectives of pregnant patients who use substances
Objectives: To explore the perceptions of pregnant patients who use substances regarding positive or negative clinician communication during obstetrical care. Methods: We analyzed qualitative data from 85 semi-structured interviews with pregnant patients who reported or tested positive for substance...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | PEC Innovation |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772628225000238 |
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| author | Abisola Olaniyan Mary Hawk Dara D. Mendez Steven M. Albert Natalie Stern Sneha Patnaik Judy C. Chang |
| author_facet | Abisola Olaniyan Mary Hawk Dara D. Mendez Steven M. Albert Natalie Stern Sneha Patnaik Judy C. Chang |
| author_sort | Abisola Olaniyan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objectives: To explore the perceptions of pregnant patients who use substances regarding positive or negative clinician communication during obstetrical care. Methods: We analyzed qualitative data from 85 semi-structured interviews with pregnant patients who reported or tested positive for substance use, which explored their interaction with obstetric providers during their first prenatal visit. This analysis focuses on patients' perceptions of negative versus positive clinician communication behaviors. Results: Eighty-five participants described clinician communication behaviors they felt affected their feelings about the clinician and their willingness to talk about prenatal substance use and other sensitive topics. Negative behaviors included clinicians (1) expressing judgment, (2) rushing through the consultation and providing limited information to patients, and (3) using statements or behaviors that made patients feel dehumanized. Positive behaviors included clinicians (1) explicitly expressing care for the patient, (2) creating rapport by soliciting patient stories and building relationships, and (3) demonstrating attentive listening. Innovation: To our knowledge, our study is the first to explore clinician communication behavior with a focus on prenatal substance use from the perspective of pregnant people using substances. Conclusion: Our findings highlight pregnant patients' perspectives on communication patterns that could improve patient-clinician interactions and, in turn, maternal health care and outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d90abf32ddec46ddb53d5b03dd893b5a |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2772-6282 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PEC Innovation |
| spelling | doaj-art-d90abf32ddec46ddb53d5b03dd893b5a2025-08-20T03:13:46ZengElsevierPEC Innovation2772-62822025-06-01610039410.1016/j.pecinn.2025.100394Perceptions of positive and negative clinician communication in obstetrical visits from the perspectives of pregnant patients who use substancesAbisola Olaniyan0Mary Hawk1Dara D. Mendez2Steven M. Albert3Natalie Stern4Sneha Patnaik5Judy C. Chang6Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Highmark Wholecare, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Corresponding author at: University of Pittsburgh, 130 De Soto Street, 6121 Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USADepartment of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USADepartment of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USADepartment of Obstetrics, & Reproductive Science, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Gynecology Pittsburgh, PA, USADepartment of Obstetrics, & Reproductive Science, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Gynecology Pittsburgh, PA, USADepartment of Obstetrics, & Reproductive Science, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Gynecology Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USAObjectives: To explore the perceptions of pregnant patients who use substances regarding positive or negative clinician communication during obstetrical care. Methods: We analyzed qualitative data from 85 semi-structured interviews with pregnant patients who reported or tested positive for substance use, which explored their interaction with obstetric providers during their first prenatal visit. This analysis focuses on patients' perceptions of negative versus positive clinician communication behaviors. Results: Eighty-five participants described clinician communication behaviors they felt affected their feelings about the clinician and their willingness to talk about prenatal substance use and other sensitive topics. Negative behaviors included clinicians (1) expressing judgment, (2) rushing through the consultation and providing limited information to patients, and (3) using statements or behaviors that made patients feel dehumanized. Positive behaviors included clinicians (1) explicitly expressing care for the patient, (2) creating rapport by soliciting patient stories and building relationships, and (3) demonstrating attentive listening. Innovation: To our knowledge, our study is the first to explore clinician communication behavior with a focus on prenatal substance use from the perspective of pregnant people using substances. Conclusion: Our findings highlight pregnant patients' perspectives on communication patterns that could improve patient-clinician interactions and, in turn, maternal health care and outcomes.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772628225000238Patient-clinician communicationPrenatal substance usePrenatal careNegative clinician communicationPositive clinician communication |
| spellingShingle | Abisola Olaniyan Mary Hawk Dara D. Mendez Steven M. Albert Natalie Stern Sneha Patnaik Judy C. Chang Perceptions of positive and negative clinician communication in obstetrical visits from the perspectives of pregnant patients who use substances PEC Innovation Patient-clinician communication Prenatal substance use Prenatal care Negative clinician communication Positive clinician communication |
| title | Perceptions of positive and negative clinician communication in obstetrical visits from the perspectives of pregnant patients who use substances |
| title_full | Perceptions of positive and negative clinician communication in obstetrical visits from the perspectives of pregnant patients who use substances |
| title_fullStr | Perceptions of positive and negative clinician communication in obstetrical visits from the perspectives of pregnant patients who use substances |
| title_full_unstemmed | Perceptions of positive and negative clinician communication in obstetrical visits from the perspectives of pregnant patients who use substances |
| title_short | Perceptions of positive and negative clinician communication in obstetrical visits from the perspectives of pregnant patients who use substances |
| title_sort | perceptions of positive and negative clinician communication in obstetrical visits from the perspectives of pregnant patients who use substances |
| topic | Patient-clinician communication Prenatal substance use Prenatal care Negative clinician communication Positive clinician communication |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772628225000238 |
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