A Research Study on How Birthing-Aged People & Healthcare Workers Find and Use Reproductive Health Information 

What is PRISM?

The PRISM(Protecting Reproductive Information Sharing Mechanism) is a research study exploring how birthing-aged individuals and healthcare workers in DC, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina seek, access, and use reproductive healthcare information.

This study aims to uncover barriers, challenges, and gaps in accessing trusted information about reproductive health, particularly in today’s shifting healthcare policies and restrictions landscape.


Our research will help us develop:

  • Workshops and educational tools to improve reproductive healthcare access
  • Better support systems for both patients and healthcare providers
  • A clearer understanding of how reproductive health information is shared and trusted

Please complete this short screening survey to help us determine if you’re eligible.

SCREENING SURVEY


Participation Criteria

Eligibility for Birthing-Aged Individuals

  • Age 18 – 55
  • Reside in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia,
    DC, and North Carolina
  • You are capable of becoming pregnant

Eligibility for Healthcare Workers

  • Currently working or have worked in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, DC, and North Carolina in a reproductive healthcare-related field
  • Includes professionals such as:
    • Doctors
    • Nurses
    • Midwives
    • Doulas
    • Health educators
    • Medical assistants
    • Other reproductive healthcare providers

What Will Participants Do?:


For Birthing-Aged Individuals

  • One-on-One Interviews (90 minutes, in-person or online)
  • Co-Design Sessions (90 minutes – 2 hours, in-person)
  • Participants will receive $60 per session (interview and co-design)

What is a Co-Design Session?

A collaborative workshop exclusively for birthing-aged participants, where individuals work together to:

  • Map out challenges in accessing reproductive healthcare information
  • Share lived experiences related to seeking reproductive health resources
  • Brainstorm and help design better systems for accessing, distributing, and improving reproductive health information

For Healthcare Workers

  • One-on-One Interviews (90 minutes, in-person or online)
  • Participants will receive $60 for the interview

Note: Healthcare workers will not participate in co-design sessions focusing on the lived experiences of birthing-aged individuals navigating the healthcare system.

What We Hope to Learn?

  • Where do people go to find reliable reproductive healthcare information?
  • How do healthcare workers share reproductive health information with patients?
  • What barriers prevent people from getting accurate healthcare information?
  • How do policy changes and legal restrictions affect access?
  • What tools and workshops can help bridge the gap in knowledge and accessibility?

By analyzing participant responses, we can:

  • Develop more effective and inclusive educational resources
  • Improve the way reproductive health information is distributed
  • Advocate for better systems that work for both patients and providers