Postpartum care services and multi-disciplinary collaboration in Japan

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Maternal and Child Health
• Healthcare Systems

Background:

• The Postpartum Care Services (PCS) programme in Japan aims to support mothers and children post-discharge.
• It focuses on physical recovery, psychological well-being, self-care skills, and healthy childrearing.
• PCS relies on interdisciplinary collaboration, including psychiatry, obstetrics, and local government.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the challenges associated with the nationwide expansion of Japan's Postpartum Care Services (PCS) programme.
• To identify barriers and facilitators for scaling up postpartum support services across Japan.

Main Methods:

• This study employed a narrative review methodology.
• It synthesized information on the implementation and challenges of the PCS programme in Japan.

Main Results:

• The expansion of PCS faces challenges requiring coordinated efforts between medical institutions and local governments.
• Proactive screening and outreach to pregnant women in need of support are crucial for effective PCS implementation.
• Inter-professional cooperation is fundamental to the success of the PCS programme.

Conclusions:

• Expanding the Postpartum Care Services (PCS) programme nationwide in Japan presents significant challenges.
• Addressing these challenges requires strengthened inter-sectoral collaboration and proactive engagement with at-risk populations.
• Further strategies are needed to ensure equitable access to comprehensive postpartum support for all families in Japan.