Impact of Virtual Doula Support on Birth Outcomes in Rural Communities
Official title: The Impact of Virtual Doula Services on Birth Outcomes in Rural Communities
Funded at Brown University · NIH-11595781 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to see if virtual doula support improves birth outcomes for people giving birth in rural areas.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $578,821 |
| NIH project number | 7R01NR018837-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11595781 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Expectant people in rural or underserved areas who could benefit from non-clinical, virtual doula support.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals in urban settings with readily available in-person doula services or who do not want telehealth support may see limited or no benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests whether remote, non-clinical birth support can improve outcomes for expectant parents in rural communities. Researchers will use a mixed-methods approach, building on prior telelactation work to examine the effects of virtual doula services on birth experiences, outcomes, and access to care. The study will involve participants who are pregnant or recently postnatal and will collect data through interviews, surveys, and health records to understand how virtual doulas influence decision-making, satisfaction, and maternal health. Findings could inform how telehealth doulas are implemented to reduce disparities in rural birth outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could expand access to supportive birth care for rural communities and potentially improve maternal and infant outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work showed telelactation benefits for breastfeeding; this project extends similar methods to virtual doula support with potential positive outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
Brown University
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Uscher-Pines, Lori — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Uscher-Pines, Lori
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.