Detection and initial assessment of mental disorder: the midwife's role

Abstract

Two studies were undertaken to evaluate a programme to encourage midwives to detect and refer women with mental health problems. In the first study, 187 midwives completed questionnaires before and one month after a study day. There was a significant improvement in answers to knowledge questions and in self-reported confidence and attitudes. In the second study, the handheld maternity notes carried by pregnant patients were examined after discharge. Significantly more records showed mental health problems entered and more had explanatory information added beside the diagnosis.