Focus

Across the globe, women and families seeking maternal and related health services too often endure various forms of mistreatment and/or poor clinical care. A combination of individual and health system level constraints (e.g., health provider workload, infrastructure and supply challenges, gender and socio-cultural dynamics, poor health system management) are often to blame. The result compromises health outcomes due to an erosion of trust in the health system and delayed or deterred care seeking. Additionally, negative healthcare environments not only affect the recipients of care, but also impact the mental health and well-being of providers. ISC partners advance evidence-informed approaches to improve both critical dimensions of quality-the provision and experience of care.