• U.S. maternal mortality rates are high. Inequities in birth outcomes are pervasive. Patient perception of bias during pregnancy-related care, especially amongst minoritized communities, is a 

risk factor for adverse perinatal health outcomes. Addressing this may be vital to lowering maternal mortality and improving care. The aim of this review was to explore the association between 

patient perception of provider bias and U.S. perinatal healthcare quality in birthing people. 

• Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we conducted a scoping review of original published studies (2003-2023) addressing perceived bias/discrimination and perinatal care quality metrics. Both 

qualitative and quantitative studies were evaluated to formulate a broad conceptualization of the research examining perceived bias and perinatal healthcare quality. 

• Four addressed themes arose from this review that related to the association of perceived bias with: 1) demographic factors such as race/ethnicity and insurance type; 2) patients’ pregnancy

related healthcare engagement; 3) a breakdown in communication and trust between patients and providers; and 4) patients’ sense of choice/control in their perinatal healthcare engagement.

• Researchers are using first person accounts of perceived bias to better understand the etiology of inequitable maternal health statistics in the U.S.. Preliminary outcomes from this body of 

work indicate a relationship between the perception of bias, provider relationships, healthcare engagement, and maternal agency. The role of bias perception on maternal mortality may be an 

important barrier to improved health outcomes, particularly in minoritized populations.

TBA