Patience Afulani, PhD, MD, MPH
Associate Professor
Ob/Gyn, Reproductive Sciences
School of Medicine

My research focuses on the social and health system factors underlying inequities in reproductive, maternal, neonatal, and child health (RMNCH) globally. I am particularly interested in how RMNCH outcomes are shaped by the quality of care in health facilities as well as by social determinants. I also have an interest in the well-being and motivation of the health workforce.

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My research in Ghana, Kenya, and the United States has included examining sources of disparities in the use and quality of maternal health services, designing tools to measure person-centered maternal and reproductive health care, examining health workforce well-being, and developing and evaluating interventions to improve maternal and neonatal health. I led the development of the person-centered maternity care (PCMC) scale that is now used across the globe.

Recent projects have included developing an intervention to improve PCMC in Kenya with a focus on provider stress and unconscious bias; examining drivers of poor PCMC in Ghana; adaptation of the PCMC scale for women of color in California; and examining healthcare workers' perceived preparedness for COVID-19 and associated factors in Ghana and Kenya. I have also conducted research on the health and reproductive behavior of migrants from Africa, and on the consequences of food insecurity in the United States.

I am currently the Principal Investigator of the Person-Centered Equity Lab at UCSF, where I lead several projects, including the “Caring for Providers to Improve Patient Experience” cluster-randomized control trial in Ghana and Kenya, funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

I obtained my Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) from the University of Ghana Medical School, and an MPH with a certificate in Global Health and a PhD in Public Health from the University of California, Los Angeles. I also completed a post-doctoral fellowship with the Preterm Birth Initiative at UCSF.

Awards

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  • Population Health and Health Equity Scholar, UCSF School of Medicine, 2022
  • Academy of Medical Educators Excellence in Teaching Award, UCSF School of Medicine, 2021
  • Carnegie African Diaspora Fellow, Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program, 2020
  • Watson Faculty Scholar, UCSF School of Medicine, 2020
  • Dean’s Outstanding Student Award, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, 2015
  • Nomination for membership in the IOTA chapter of Delta Omega Honorary Society, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, 2015
  • Delta Omega Poster Competition Award, Delta Omega Honorary Society, 2014
  • Nominee, Teaching Assistant of the year, UCLA Public Health Students Association, 2011
  • Best student in Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology Award, University of Ghana Medical School, 2007
  • Best student in Gynecology Award, University of Ghana Medical School, 2007
  • Best female student in Obstetrics and Gynecology Award, University of Ghana Medical School, 2007
  • Best female student in University of Ghana, University of Ghana Women’s Commission, 2003
  • Best Physiology student, University of Ghana Medical School, 2002
  • Best female Biological Science student, University of Ghana, 2001
  • Head of State Award, Best student in the Basic Education Certificate Examination, Upper East Region,, Ghana Education Service, 1995

Education & Training

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  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Training University of California 2019
  • Postdoctoral fellowship Preterm Birth Initiative University of California 2018
  • PhD School of Public Health, Community Health Sciences Dept. University of California 2015
  • MPH School of Public Health, Community Health Sciences Dept. University of California 2011
  • MBChB University of Ghana Medical School University of Ghana 2007

Interests

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  • Respectful maternity care
  • Implementation Science
  • Migrant Health
  • health workforce well-being
  • Person-centered care
  • Quality of care
  • Reproductive
  • Maternal
  • Neonatal
  • Child Health
  • Food security
  • Global Health
  • Minority health
  • Health equity

Websites

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Grants and Projects

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Publications (90)

Top publication keywords:
PregnancyProfessional-Patient RelationsHealth PersonnelDelivery, ObstetricLabor, ObstetricPersonal AutonomyPatient-Centered CareBurnout, ProfessionalParturitionPrenatal CareGhanaKenyaAttitude of Health PersonnelMaternal Health ServicesQuality of Health Care

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