Faculty Collaboration Database

Perinatal psychiatric practitioner consultation program delivers rapid response to OB/GYN practitioners. Birth 2023 Dec;50(4):764-772

Date

03/21/2023

Pubmed ID

36939290

DOI

10.1111/birt.12722

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85150833889 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Screening and treatment initiation for perinatal psychiatric conditions is a recommended competency in OB/GYN practitioners, yet perinatal psychiatry is rapidly evolving. Practitioner-to-psychiatrist consultation programs have the potential to improve the management of psychiatric conditions in perinatal women. This study describes utilization of a statewide perinatal psychiatric consultation service by OB/GYN practitioners through examination of the volume, responsivity, content and outcomes of clinical inquiries, and satisfaction.

METHODS: This quality improvement study describes the 460 telephone or e-mail consultations requested by OB/GYN practitioners over 2 years and housed within a REDCap database. Data include the characteristics of consult users, month-over-month and total utilization, the patient's perinatal status, the reason for contact, current symptoms and medications, and the consulting psychiatrist recommendations. Practitioner satisfaction with consultation is also described.

RESULTS: After completion of triage, the psychiatrist returned the practitioner's call ≤5 min in 59% of consultations. The most common inquiries were for pregnant (64%) women for depressive (51%) or anxiety (46%) symptoms with 47% of inquiries reporting the patient was currently taking a psychiatric medication. Had consultation not been available, referral to mental health (41%) or starting a medication (15%) were most often reported.

CONCLUSIONS: This perinatal psychiatric consultation service rapidly and effectively met the needs of practitioners practicing in OB/GYN settings across a state having a critical psychiatry shortage and varying urban and rural geography. Future recommendations include the assessment of direct patient outcomes, practitioner skill attainment, and long-term cost savings of this perinatal psychiatric consultation model.

Author List

Doering JJ, Wichman CL, Laszewski A, Kuehn S, Ke W

Authors

Jennifer Doering PhD Associate Professor in the Nursing department at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Christina L. Wichman DO Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Anxiety
Female
Humans
Male
Mental Health
Personal Satisfaction
Pregnancy
Referral and Consultation