Pediatric Providers' Perceptions of Their Role in the Early Detection of Postpartum Depression

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 Chicagoland 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.