Unlike postpartum depression, perinatal depression encompasses both prenatal and postnatal experiences. Considering the potentially long-lasting effects of the disorder, a comprehensive collaborative care plan is the only way to effectively treat patients.
The term perinatal depression provides for the emotional and physical challenges one in seven women faces throughout pregnancy. The disorder takes the form of symptoms that can range from a loss of sleep to the impairment of overall functioning. When these symptoms persist and affect patients over longer periods, the overall outcome can be detrimental to mother and child. For this reason, research related to perinatal depression has advanced the way we view the disorder and its treatment.
The American Psychiatric Association stipulates the treatment for the disorder, “Like other types of depression, perinatal depression can be managed with psychotherapy (talk therapy), medication, lifestyle changes, and supportive environment or a combination of these.” Higher risk factors like a history of mental health and a lack of financial support contributing to the severity of symptoms, also require patients to have a consistent basis of care and observation starting from primary physicians to psychiatrists. These providers are required to take a collaborative approach to care to provide a comprehensive treatment plan.
A Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association study provides, “A CCM is a three-step approach to screening, referring, and treating women for PD during the perinatal period among their OB, family, and MH providers.” The collaborative care model acts as a basis for effective care amongst perinatal patients. The success of this model is, however, dependent on timely communication amongst all members of the care team.
This is where HIPAA compliant email steps in. As one of the most secure methods of communication, a variety of protected health information (PHI) in various forms can be easily shared. An example of this is when a nurse practitioner identifies a patient with perinatal depression during a screening, they can quickly send secure emails to the patient’s obstetrician and mental health practitioner. The efficient coordination improves the speed of care while providing a means for ongoing dialogue between providers to create comprehensive treatment plans.
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When primary care providers identify a reason for concern amongst patients, the referral process is often instituted to enlist the help of a mental health professional. This process becomes seamless through the use of HIPAA compliant email. HIPAA compliant email then allows mental health professionals to easily share standardized assessments, like the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).
Care teams can create a routine of sending progress reports by email to keep all members informed about the patient's treatment progress. The medium also allows for virtual case conferences in especially complex cases where team members can discuss specific cases and treatment strategies.
When providers share PHI for treatment purposes, consent is generally not required.
It can be shared with a mother’s partners or support system only with their explicit consent or for her safety.