What is the study about?

In the UK there are alarming and sustained disparities in outcomes for Black women during pregnancy, as recognised by the NHS and UK Government. As part of trying to tackle these inequalities, it is important that clinical research includes representation from Black women so that effective healthcare innovations can be developed for those at greatest risk. However, currently Black women are under-represented in research and there is a lack of co-developed guidelines on how to improve inclusive recruitment methods to maternal and neonatal healthcare research. This makes it challenging to develop healthcare solutions to best suit the needs of Black women and as such we need to better engage this population in research so that personalised healthcare innovations can be developed.

Who can take part in the study?

Throughout the study we will be working with two key partner groups:

1. Research delivery teams (i.e. research nurses and midwives), and
2. Representatives for Black mothers/pregnant women and their birthing partners (including leaders, or support workers/volunteers of Black community groups).

What are we trying to find out?

The overarching aim of the PROMISE study is to develop Principles of Engagement (PoE) to support research delivery teams (RDTs) to approach and engage Black women in maternal and neonatal healthcare research. To do this we will:

1. Develop Black women in maternity and neonatal healthcare Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) partner group.
2. Co-develop our understanding of important cultural, environmental, and communication processes involved in engaging Black women in maternal and neonatal health.
3. Develop the recommended principles with the Principles of Engagement (PoE) Development Group.
4. Identify pathways to implementing the PoE in practice. 

Who are the PROMISE team?

Co-Principal Investigator: Dr Sophie Hall (NCTU)

Co-Principal Investigator: Prof Cathy Henshall (Oxford Brookes)

Co-Investigator: Dr Shireen Patel (Uni of Nottingham)

Co-Investigator: Bhuvan Majmudar (Egality Health)

Lead Researcher: Dr Georgia Clancy (NCTU)

Funder

National Institute for Health Research (NIHR): Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB)

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