Abstract
Background: Perinatal depression is defined as an episode of depression during pregnancy or within the first year after birth (National Institute of Mental Health, nd; World Health Organization, 2022). Perinatal mental health disorders in women are underrecognized with screening recommended during pregnancy and the postpartum period (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2023; Earls et al., 2019; World Health Organization, 2022). The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends screening for postpartum depression (PPD) at well child checks/visits (WCC) in the 6 months after birth (Earls et al., 2019). To determine if pediatric clinics incorporate this practice, this study aimed to evaluate current screening practices for PPD by pediatric clinicians.
Methods: Clinicians from North-Central Florida who treat infants in the 6 months after birth were recruited to complete a survey focused on identifying challenges during the 4th Trimester. Survey questions specific to PPD screening and management were extracted. Descriptive statistics were analyzed and chi-square test used to compare differences.
Results: Of clinicians (N=27) who treat pediatric patients, 31.8% reported screening at WCC and 36.4% reported screening only when PPD was suspected. No difference in screening by geographic location or years in practice was seen but most physicians (58.8%) reported screening at WCC compared to 10% of advanced practice nurses (APNs) (p=0.03). Most clinicians (68.2%) did not feel they have adequate resources to assist mothers with mental health challenges.
Conclusions: Results suggest low screening for PPD among pediatric clinicians. Consistent with existing literature, to meet AAP recommendations, systemic change is needed for consistent screening along with education and/or support to assist clinicians with resources to support mothers (Kendall-Tackett, 2024). The difference seen between physicians and APNs warrants further investigation to elucidate why this difference was seen. Education for pediatric APNs may be needed.
Notes
This study is supported by the UF + FSU CTSA HUB Pilot Award. Collaboration between FSU and UF investigators. Funding was from 12/21/2021 to 6/30/2024.
References:
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2023). Treatment and Management of Mental Health Conditions During Pregnancy and Postpartum: ACOG Clinical Practice Guideline No. 5. Obstet Gynecol, 141(6), 1262-1288. https://doi.org/10.1097/aog.0000000000005202
Earls, M. F., Yogman, M. W., Mattson, G., & Rafferty, J. (2019). Incorporating Recognition and Management of Perinatal Depression Into Pediatric Practice. Pediatrics, 143(1). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-3259
Kendall-Tackett, K. A. (2024). Screening for Perinatal Depression: Barriers, Guidelines, and Measurement Scales. J Clin Med, 13(21). https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13216511
National Institute of Mental Health. (nd). Perinatal Depression. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/perinatal-depression#:~:text=What%20is%20perinatal%20depression%3F,after%20the%20baby%20is%20born.
World Health Organization. (2022). WHO guide for integration of perinatal mental health in maternal and child health services. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240057142
Sigma Membership
Beta Pi
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Implementation Science, Primary Care, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Depression Diagnosis, Medical Screening
Recommended Citation
Bahorski, Jessica S.; Thayagabalu, Sionika; Wright, Stacy; and Lemas, Dominick, "Postpartum Depression Screening by Pediatric Clinicians in North-Central Florida" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 194.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/presentations_2026/194
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-08-23
Postpartum Depression Screening by Pediatric Clinicians in North-Central Florida
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Background: Perinatal depression is defined as an episode of depression during pregnancy or within the first year after birth (National Institute of Mental Health, nd; World Health Organization, 2022). Perinatal mental health disorders in women are underrecognized with screening recommended during pregnancy and the postpartum period (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2023; Earls et al., 2019; World Health Organization, 2022). The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends screening for postpartum depression (PPD) at well child checks/visits (WCC) in the 6 months after birth (Earls et al., 2019). To determine if pediatric clinics incorporate this practice, this study aimed to evaluate current screening practices for PPD by pediatric clinicians.
Methods: Clinicians from North-Central Florida who treat infants in the 6 months after birth were recruited to complete a survey focused on identifying challenges during the 4th Trimester. Survey questions specific to PPD screening and management were extracted. Descriptive statistics were analyzed and chi-square test used to compare differences.
Results: Of clinicians (N=27) who treat pediatric patients, 31.8% reported screening at WCC and 36.4% reported screening only when PPD was suspected. No difference in screening by geographic location or years in practice was seen but most physicians (58.8%) reported screening at WCC compared to 10% of advanced practice nurses (APNs) (p=0.03). Most clinicians (68.2%) did not feel they have adequate resources to assist mothers with mental health challenges.
Conclusions: Results suggest low screening for PPD among pediatric clinicians. Consistent with existing literature, to meet AAP recommendations, systemic change is needed for consistent screening along with education and/or support to assist clinicians with resources to support mothers (Kendall-Tackett, 2024). The difference seen between physicians and APNs warrants further investigation to elucidate why this difference was seen. Education for pediatric APNs may be needed.
Description
Perinatal mental health disorders are underrecognized. Most organizations recommend screening for postpartum depression (PPD) at well child checks/visits (WCC). Our results found that 31.8% of providers are screening at WCC and 36.4% of providers are screening when PPD is suspected. Additionally, more physicians reported screening compared to advanced practice nurses. Results suggests that systemic change is needed to ensure consistent screening along with resources to refer mothers.