Date of Award/Publication

4-2010

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.S. in Advanced Practice Nursing

First Supervisor

Cynthia McCloskey

Abstract

Postpartum depression (PPD) is thought to affect 13% of new mothers. Yet it is believed that up to 50% of cases escape detection, resulting in a host of adverse sequelae for mother, infant and family. The current state of the science is promising, as advances in pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy have demonstrated PPD's amenability to treatment. However, expertise among providers appears to be deficient, as seen in survey results which portray most physicians and nurse practitioners largely ill-equipped to detect and deal with PPD. A rich opportunity to intervene exists, particularly within primary care settings, where suffering women may be encountered. The purpose of this project was to address this gap between services and need, by providing an educational module to nurse practitioners. It is designed with the goal to educate primary care nurse practitioners in assessment, screening, diagnostic, treatment, and referral skills relative to this disorder. The module was presented on two occasions to the Greater Rochester Nurse Practitioner Association (NPA), where those present received continuing education credits. Attendees of the presentation were asked to fill out a simple evaluative form, which invited commentary regarding usefulness and effectiveness of the presentation. Subsequently, a podcast of the presentation was recorded, and submitted for posting to the NPA website. An accompanying evaluative survey was also attached. Interpretation of findings from the project are discussed in summary.

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