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Published on: May 19, 2015
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Perinatal Identification, Referral, and Integrated Management for Improving Depression: Development, Feasibility and
Charlene Holt1, Sarah Maher1, Alan W Gemmill1
1Parent-Infant Research Institute, Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC 3081, Australia.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
|October 29, 2025
Summary
A new system, PIRIMID, shows promise for helping nurses manage postnatal depression by improving referrals. While pilot results suggest feasibility and acceptability, further research is needed to confirm its impact on treatment uptake.
Area of Science:
- Public Health and Epidemiology
- Maternal and Child Health
- Mental Health Interventions
Background:
- Postnatal depression presents a significant public health challenge in Australia, with high costs and low treatment uptake.
- Existing systems struggle to effectively support maternal and child health nurses (MCHNs) in managing maternal mental health.
- There is a critical need for improved tools to facilitate timely and effective interventions for postpartum depression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and pilot test the Postnatal Illness Research and Integrated Management Information Decision support system (PIRIMID).
- To assess the feasibility, acceptability, and implementation ease of PIRIMID for MCHNs and women experiencing postpartum depression.
- To evaluate PIRIMID's impact on referral rates and monitor treatment uptake and depression symptoms.
Main Methods:
- PIRIMID was developed through extensive co-design and consultation with stakeholders.
- A pilot cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) compared PIRIMID with routine care, including a partial crossover design.
- A statewide survey of MCHNs in Victoria, Australia, gathered perspectives on PIRIMID's perceived benefits and barriers.
Main Results:
- PIRIMID was found to be acceptable and helpful to both MCHNs and women, with easy integration into existing clinical systems reported.
- While trends suggested higher referral rates with PIRIMID, treatment uptake was similar across conditions.
- A statewide survey indicated 84% of MCHNs would use PIRIMID, citing time constraints and technical issues as potential barriers.
Conclusions:
- The PIRIMID system demonstrates potential as a feasible and acceptable tool to aid MCHNs in managing postnatal depression.
- Pilot findings support PIRIMID's utility in facilitating individualized management plans and referral pathways.
- Further research with larger sample sizes is recommended to definitively assess PIRIMID's impact on treatment uptake.
