Improving education in perinatal mental health: a participatory
qualitative analysis
Abstract
Objective: A recent systematic review found that education
programs in perinatal mental health (PMH) had limited effects on
detection, referral, and support of parents with perinatal mental health
problems (PMHPs). This qualitative study sought to explore the
experiences, views and priorities of persons with lived experience
(PWLEs), obstetric providers (OPs), childcare health providers (CHPs)
and mental health providers (MHPs) on education in PMH.
Design/Setting: We used a participatory research design, i.e.
co-production by academic researchers and researchers with lived
experience as equal partners. We recruited PWLEs through Maman Blues’
association and a centre for psychiatric rehabilitation, and providers
through perinatal health networks. Sample/Methods: We conducted
nine focus groups and 24 individual interviews between December 2020 and
May 2022 for a total number of 84 participants (24 PWLEs; 30 OPs; 11
CHPs and 19 MHPs). We used Braun & Clarke’s inductive six-step process
in the thematic analysis. Results: We found some degree of
difference in the priorities for education in PMH identified by PWLEs
(e.g. person-centred collaborative perinatal healthcare) and providers
(e.g. knowledge about PMHPs). Providers considered PMH assessment as
part of their role but reported feeling ill-prepared to do so and
negative attitudes about their role in perinatal mental health care for
parents with suicidal ideations or serious mental illness.
Organisational factors comprised PMH integration into standard perinatal
healthcare and common culture between non-MHPs and MHPs.
Conclusions: Education programs in PMH should be co-designed
with PWLEs and focus on providing collaborative person-centred care for
all parents.