Exploring Challenges of Perinatal Mental Health Care

Perinatal and postpartum depression affect 10% of pregnant and postpartum women. We explored the challenges with providing and receiving mental health care during this perinatal period. 

Project Overview

We interviewed 20 patients and 10 providers to explore the integration of technology into perinatal Collaborative Care Programs (CCPs) aimed at enhancing mental health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women. CCPs combine mental health services with primary care, necessitating teamwork across various disciplines. We identified many challenges, such as differing perceptions of urgent needs among obstetric providers and care managers. Technology could help address these challenges and improve the effectiveness of CCPs, benefiting mothers and their families.

My Role

The Team

My responsibilities for this project included:

• Coding and analyzing qualitative data

• Discussing and iterating the themes with the research team

• Developing a journey map

• Collaborating with a medical provider to validate the findings

• Proposing design solutions based on the findings

• Writing up and presenting the findings​

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Tools Used: Dedoose, Miro

I worked with a wonderful cross-functional team:

• Shefali Haldar, Ph.D., Merck & Co., Inc

• Novia Wong, University of California, Irvine

• David Mohr, Ph.D., Northwestern University

• Madhu Reddy, Ph.D., University of California, Irvine

• Emily Miller, M.D., Northwestern University