PCMC

Maternal mortality continues to be high in low- and middle-income countries. While the clinical aspects of high quality care are undoubtedly important, we must also include respectful and dignified care as part of top quality services. Person-centered maternity care (PCMC) has been documented as a key factor in reducing maternal mortality, newborn complications, and low rates of facility-based deliveries. For example, women should not be subject to verbal or physical abuse from facility staff during labor, should be allowed to have birth companions of their choice, and should feel as though they are informed about and consulted on their own care. Together with researchers at the University of California, San Francisco and the University of California, Los Angeles we have developed a 13-item scale to assess PCMC. The scale provides domain-specific insight in the areas of dignity, respect, communication, autonomy, and emotional support. It allows users to both understand a woman’s experience of care and to inform quality assessment and improvement efforts.