The goal of this project was to observe the feasibility and general acceptability of recording “life stories” of under-represented minority (URM) pregnant women, representative of the demographic sample of patients at BMC, with the intent of increasing provider patient connectedness for improved experience of care. Narrative work has been shown to impact patients’ perception of care and may improve outcomes including decreased distress scores, increased sense of value, and decline in patient visits to primary care for chronic illness.

Researchers predict that access to life stories will have a positive effect on the overall care given to patients during the prenatal and delivery process. It is also expected that personal recounts will increase empathy, eliminate anonymity, and improve connectedness among patients and providers.