What are the procedures for the study? How does it progress?
In Phase One, our goal is to refine and define the instrument with a focus group of 10-15 doulas. In Phase Two, we want to discern and learn that the instrument accurately shows progression through the five stages, also with a focus group. Phase Three continues the process with a group survey, allowing us to uncover trends in responses that may reveal problems with the instrument. Phase Four tests the instrument with a much larger group.
Is the study IRB approved?
Yes, the study has been approved as BRANY study ID: 25-203-2279 by the Biomedical Research Alliance of New York.
Are You Interested In Participating In The Study?
Who is eligible to participate?
- A trained or apprenticed* birth doula who has attended at least 4 labors and births
- Read English fluently (for English version)
- Does not use clinical skills in any other capacity (nursing assistant, midwifery assistant, nurse, provider, etc.)
*Trained means you have taken a formal doula training. Apprenticed means that you have learned at bedside from a doula (not a midwife or nurse) in ethics and professional standards of practice.
What if I’m not currently attending births or I’m formally retired?
If you can still vividly imagine yourself in a labor room with a family, you probably have insight to share. If you’re feeling a distance from birth work or have moved on in your passions, it’s probably best to pass. When in doubt, put the information on your application form and you can talk about it with Jaime Healy-Plotkin, our Research Assistant (who is also a doula).
What happens when I sign up?
When you apply we will ask you for contact information. Our Research Assistant, who is a postpartum doula, Jaime Healy-Plotkin will text or email you to set up a time to review the consent form via video or phone call. After we receive your signed consent form, you are officially in the study! As part of the study, you’ll supply your social media information, some background information, and the name and contact information for a colleague who can confirm the range of number of births you’ve attended as a doula. In this way, we can confirm that everyone who participates is actually a doula.
After our Research Assistant has contacted your colleague to confirm you are a doula, they will email you or text you to let you know the Focus Group date and time you are invited to attend for Phases One and Two, or send you a unique link to a survey to fill out for Phases Three and Four.
If you end up at a birth and cannot attend your focus group, that’s okay. We will invite you to participate in the next phase.
GBDSI Process and Procedures
Once we receive your signed consent form, you’re in the study! Our next step is simply to verify that each participant is an active birth doula. A colleague of your choice will be briefly contacted by our Research Assistant, Jaime Healy-Plotkin, to confirm your experience. After that, your involvement depends on the phase currently underway.
Phase One: Refine and Define
Goal: Clarify language, reduce overlap, and confirm that the five stages feel distinct.
Format: Two focus groups (10–15 doulas), with reserved spots by experience level.
Time: 90 minutes
Compensation: $30 electronic gift card (Target or Amazon)
Phase Two: Discern and Learn
Goal: Ensure each behavior description accurately matches its “I-statement.”
Format: Two focus groups (10–15 doulas), with reserved spots by experience level.
Time: 60 minutes
Compensation: $30 electronic gift card (Target or Amazon)
Phase Three: Analyze Trends
Goal: Explore meaningful patterns in survey responses across all 30 items.
If an answer doesn’t align with the participant’s overall stage, we follow up to understand why and adjust wording as needed.
Confidentiality: Responses are linked to your name, but only the Researcher and Research Assistant access them.
Goal: 100 participants
Compensation: $5 Starbucks gift card through the mail at your residential address
Phase Four: Open Study & Validation
Goal: Confirm that the GBDSI accurately reflects experience level and functions as a valid assessment tool.
Format: Open enrollment for all birth doulas.
Goal: 500 participants
Compensation: None
Once your participation is complete, you will receive a formal email from us stating that, and notifying you when and how (email, mail) to expect your compensation. Make sure to sign up for our GBDSI newsletter to receive updates on data analysis, peer review and publication!