JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Perinatal mental health symptoms commonly remain underdiagnosed and undertreated in maternity care settings in the UK, with outbreaks of disease, like the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, further disrupting access to adequate mental health support. Digital technologies may offer an innovative way to support the mental health needs of women and their families throughout the perinatal period, as well as assist midwives in the recognition of perinatal mental health concerns. However, little is known about the acceptability and perceived benefits and barriers to using such technologies.

Objective:

To conduct a mixed methods evaluation of the current state of perinatal mental healthcare provision in the UK, as well as users’ (women and partners) and midwives’ interest in using a digital mental health assessment throughout the perinatal period.

Methods:

Eight hundred and twenty-nine women, 103 partners, and 90 midwives participated in the study, which entailed completing an online survey. Quantitative data were explored using descriptive statistics. Open-ended response data were first investigated using thematic analysis. Resultant themes were then mapped onto the components of the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation Model of Behavior (COM-B model) and summarized using descriptive statistics.

Results:

The provision of adequate perinatal mental healthcare support was limited, with experiences varying significantly across respondents. There was a strong interest in using a digital mental health assessment to screen, diagnose, and triage perinatal mental health concerns, particularly among women and midwives. The digital assessment was seen to be well placed within maternity healthcare settings, with in-person only and blended care (i.e., in-person and remote support) approaches being preferred by women and partners in the event of further care being advised. Identified benefits and barriers mainly related to physical opportunity (e.g., accessibility), psychological capability (e.g., cognitive skills) and automatic motivation (e.g., emotions).

Conclusions:

This study provides proof-of-concept support for the development and implementation of a digital mental health assessment to inform clinical decision-making in the assessment of perinatal mental health concerns in the UK.