I did not feel as though I was in charge or able to make decisions about my own body. Patient Experiences of Respect in Montana’s Maternal Health System

The World Health Organization Standards for Improving the Quality of Maternal and Newborn Care highlight patient experiences as a core indicator of quality services. This study aimed to understand patient maternal healthcare experiences in Montana. The study consisted of 427 participants. Overall, participants experienced high levels of respectful care (70.7%). Participants with at least one social determinant of health indicators had significantly lower respect scores than those without any social determinant of health indicators. Despite the recent emphasis on patient-centered care, disparities in experiences of respect persist. Implementing a Respectful Maternity Care Framework within facilities could enhance equitable, high-quality care for all pregnant people.