The JJ Way®

NEW! 2007 Study results of The JJ Way® in action!

NO low birth weight or premature babies among African American or Hispanic patients at The Birth Place!. Download the report.

BEST PRACTICE: Closing The Gap – The JJ WAY®

A model for reducing disparities and improving outcomes in perinatal health

Purpose. Disparities in perinatal health persist despite the national Healthy People objectives which call for the elimination of all disparities by the year 2010. Action continues on all fronts as researchers and public health agencies search for answers and methods to address these discrepancies. Sadly, the complexities of this situation continue as statistics stay the same or worse yet, increase. The JJ (Jennie Joseph) Way is a promising model that is showing much improved pregnancy outcomes in an at-risk population.

Jennie Joseph, a British–trained midwife now living and working in Florida has developed a model of maternity care that has greatly reduced the disparities in her practice. The goals and objectives are:

• To provide a model that is easy to duplicate which allows the healthcare provider to run an efficient, safe and productive system
• To provide training and organizational systems for medical establishments that wish to improve their patient and employee satisfaction, compliance, and loyalty along with reducing litigation
• On a corporate/ private level to engage organizations in the value of healthy women and thereby families and the importance of a new approach in providing that information
• On a community level to engage and educate families, business owners, ‘leaders’ and churches in the urgency of the problem and how they can help to be part of the solution.

Methodology

The JJ Way® Model is effective in reducing disparities and improving outcomes because it operates from the premise that every woman wants a healthy baby and that every woman deserves one. The key components in our health care delivery are: prenatal bonding through respect, support, education, encouragement and empowerment. It is imperative that all staff work as a team and that all patients recognize and feel the support of the team. Additionally, patients and their family supporters (if any)are encouraged to operate the same way and are therefore invited in as an integral part of each prenatal visit. From the very first appointment the goal of a full-term healthy baby is emphasized and all subsequent measures stress that theme until safe arrival at that point.

Results

Outcomes have steadily improved over the past five years and we are currently conducting a one year research study on the impact of The JJ Way® on improved perinatal health. Prenatal bonding has allowed us to engage not only the pregnant women but their partners, families and supporters as well. It has led to increased vigilance for risk factors, increased compliance with instructions and appointments, reduced fear of poor outcome and impending harm to mom or baby, increased sense of empowerment and control. For a minimum 'up-front' cost, countless heath care, remedial school care and ultimately criminal justice Dollars have been saved. The ultimate bonus however is the strong, vital connection of a fully bonded mother and baby, a connection which will carry forward into the future of the family, the community and society at large.

Conclusions

In the USA, despite ongoing research and discussion, perinatal health disparities are not improving in any great fashion, and in some areas the gap is actually widening. Newer interventions are focusing on more holistic approaches including looking at stress, environment and life-course approaches. The JJ Way® is a simple, cost-effective model which can be easily emulated and adapted for any practice, and which has the potential to seriously impact the discouraging perinatal statistics that have become all too common.

For more details regarding Jennie's non-profit, Commonsense Childbirth Inc., which operates The JJ Way please click here Commonsense Childbirth

Explanation of The JJ Way® Maternal Child Healthcare System

Dr. Michael Lu speaks about the impact of racism on birth outcomes