Provider Perceptions of Perinatal Mental Healthcare Access

Area of Science:

• Perinatal mental health
• Healthcare access
• Quality improvement

Background:

• Untreated perinatal mental health conditions have severe consequences.
• Less than 20% of women with perinatal mental distress receive treatment.
• Significant barriers hinder access to essential perinatal mental healthcare services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report on providers' perceptions of demand for and accessibility of perinatal mental health services.
• To identify areas for quality improvement in perinatal mental healthcare delivery.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods questionnaire was distributed to providers at a large academic medical center.
• Forty-six providers (physicians, nurse midwives, advanced practice nurses) completed the survey.
• The survey assessed providers' perceptions of patient access and barriers to perinatal mental healthcare.

Main Results:

• Providers identified pervasive barriers to perinatal mental healthcare.
• Access to appropriate mental healthcare for perinatal patients is reported as occasional.
• Significant challenges exist in the current system for accessing perinatal mental health services.

Conclusions:

• Findings highlight critical needs for improving access to perinatal mental healthcare.
• Addressing provider-identified challenges is essential for enhancing maternal well-being.
• The study underscores the need for increased clinical access, intervention studies, and policy changes to improve perinatal mental healthcare.