Open AccessA Stepped Care Model of Patient Navigation to Enhance Engagement with Perinatal Mental Health Care
Author(s) -
Christina Bricca DiSanza,
Pamela A. Geller,
Alexa Bonacquisti,
Bobbie Posmontier,
June Andrews Horowitz,
Lisa A. Chiarello
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
health equity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.826
H-Index - 9
ISSN - 2473-1242
DOI - 10.1089/heq.2020.0077
Subject(s) - attendance , mental health , mood , anxiety , medicine , perinatal period , mental health care , nursing , ambulatory care , health care , psychology , psychiatry , pregnancy , biology , economics , genetics , economic growth
During the perinatal period, women are at increased risk for developing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). As perinatal mental health screening efforts increase, significantly more women will be identified who require mental health services. Evidence-based treatments exist, yet many women do not receive adequate care. Patient navigation (PN) offers a promising patient-centered approach to improve treatment attendance and engagement. The purpose of this study is to describe the development of a stepped care PN service at an intensive outpatient program for women with PMADs. Our experience incorporating this model of PN revealed significant features that may guide other treatment care facilities to adopt this service to increase identification and connection to care.