Increasing Postpartum Primary Care Engagement through Default Scheduling and Tailored Messaging: A Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Primary Care Medicine
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Over 30% of pregnant individuals have chronic conditions, increasing risks post-delivery.
• Transitioning to primary care postpartum presents significant barriers for these individuals.
• Existing healthcare support for postpartum transitions is inadequate.

Approach:

• A randomized controlled trial evaluated a behavioral economics-informed intervention.
• The intervention included default scheduling of postpartum primary care practitioner (PCP) appointments and tailored messages.
• This study targeted English- and Spanish-speaking postpartum adults with chronic conditions or at risk.

Key Points:

• The intervention significantly increased PCP visit completion by 18.7 percentage points (40.0% vs. 22.0%).
• Intervention participants showed reduced postpartum readmissions and increased screenings for blood pressure, weight, and depression.
• Default scheduling and tailored messaging effectively reduced administrative burden and information gaps.

Conclusions:

• Default PCP visit scheduling and tailored messages substantially improve postpartum primary care engagement.
• This intervention represents a high-impact, low-resource strategy for improving maternal health.
• Addressing postpartum transitions to primary care is crucial for short- and long-term maternal health.