Abstract
Objective
To explore pediatric health care providers’ perceptions of their role in screening mothers for postpartum depression (PPD).
Design
Descriptive, qualitative methodology.
Setting
Pediatric care providers from five different institutions in the Chicago metropolitan area.
Participants
Eleven providers who see infants within their first year of life were interviewed.
Intervention/Measurements
Participants were interviewed regarding their perceptions of their role in the early detection of PPD.
Results
During the interviews and coding, six themes were identified: Screening Formally and Informally, Providers Perceiving Their Role, I Think There Should Be More Education, Falling Through the Cracks, Clinical Missed Pathways, and A Supportive Organization Has an Impact on the Role of the Provider.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates the need to increase awareness and ensure that proper national guidelines are implemented by health care providers, policymakers, and organizations to secure a proper and efficient protocol to ensure the practice of screening all mothers. In addition, the results from this study have implications for public policy, nursing practice, education, and further research.