Racist Discrimination in Obstetric Care
The project examines racist discrimination in obstetric care. Its goal is to develop an evidence-based foundation for a critical, anti-racist approach to obstetric practice.
Factsheet
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Schools involved
School of Health Professions
Business School -
Institute(s)
Institute for New Work
Midwifery - Research unit(s) Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Strategic thematic field Thematic field "Caring Society"
- Funding organisation Others
- Duration (planned) 01.07.2025 - 30.04.2026
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Head of project
Milena Wegelin
Prof. Dr. Isabelle Zinn
Situation
Discrimination and racism are increasingly becoming a focus of public health research worldwide. In Switzerland, the Advisory Network for Victims of Racism has highlighted the need for research on these issues within healthcare services. Racist discrimination in obstetric care affects both access to and the quality of healthcare services. It also impacts racialized healthcare workers within medical institutions. It is likely that these two aspects interact with each other in the way institutions address racism. Against this backdrop, the project aims to examine how racist discrimination manifests in obstetric care. In addition to the individual level, it will address aspects of institutional and structural racism. The project underscores the relevance of ongoing debates on racism in general and in the healthcare system in particular, thereby addressing current societal challenges. The project is intended to contribute to an informed and broad discussion. Another key objective is to familiarize healthcare professionals with the concept of structural racism and illustrate that a system can be racist even if individuals within it do not hold explicitly racist views.
Course of action
In this pilot study, focus group discussions with affected individuals will explore potential forms of racist discrimination in obstetric care and its institutions. Based on the lived experiences of those affected, the study will determine the most meaningful perspectives from which to investigate these issues. Building on these insights, appropriate methodological approaches will be defined. In a second phase, co-researchers will be recruited to collaboratively refine the research questions and methodology for a main study. The interdisciplinary collaboration allows the research team to comprehensively design the study on racist discrimination in obstetric settings. In addition to examining the experiences of service recipients, the study will also consider the perspectives of healthcare staff. This approach enables an analysis of the institutional mechanisms that contribute to racist discrimination. The applied research expertise in obstetrics is complemented by the Institute for New Work which specializes in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. The research approach adopts an intersectional perspective to account for various social categories in the context of health equity, with the aim of identifying multiple disadvantages and particularly vulnerable groups.
