Postpartum Anxiety Screening at Well-Child Appointments: A Quality Improvement Project
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Authors
Wuorio, Lauryn
Issue Date
2021-05-14
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Abstract
Throughout the history of medicine, Postpartum Generalized Anxiety Disorder (PGAD) has not received the attention that recent data suggests it should. Significant information has been collected which reveals that the presentation and prevalence of this condition is far more common than once thought. Research studies on PGAD are increasing, and currently, chief health care organizations such as the World Health Organization, Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, and American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology have recognized the effects that this disorder has on mothers, their children, health care systems, and the United States economy. This paper reviews the background, significance, barriers, and assessment tools for diagnosing PGAD, and describes the results of a pilot study that assessed for PGAD in 15 postpartum women from a small primary care clinic in northern Minnesota during Well-Child appointments. The results of the pilot study confirmed that PGAD is more prevalent than Postpartum Depression (PPD) and that when postpartum women are assessed, using a PPD only screening tool PGAD, is often missed.
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Creighton University
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Copyright is retained by the Author. A non-exclusive distribution right is granted to Creighton University