Experiences of Mental Health Care Among Women Treated for Postpartum Psychosis in England: A Qualitative Study

TY - JOUR

T1 - Experiences of Mental Health Care Among Women Treated for Postpartum Psychosis in England

T2 - A Qualitative Study

AU - Roxburgh, Emily

AU - Morant, Nicola

AU - Dolman, Clare

AU - Johnson, Sonia

AU - Taylor, Billie Lever

N1 - Funding Information: The authors are very grateful indeed for the advice and support received from the Perinatal Service User and Carer Advisory Group, and from the wider ESMI study team. The study team would also like to thank all the women and their family members who gave up their time to take part in the study. Funding Information: This article summarises independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) under its PGfAR Programme (Grant Reference Number: RP-PG-1210-12002). The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. SJ is supported by the NIHR Mental Health Research Policy Unit, the NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) North Thames, and the UCLH Biomedical Research Centre. Publisher Copyright: © 2022, The Author(s).

PY - 2022/7

Y1 - 2022/7

N2 - Postpartum psychosis has been found to affect 0.89–2.6 per 1000 women. Onset is typically rapid and severe. Early recognition and appropriate treatment are crucial for a good prognosis. Our aim in this study was to understand women’s experiences of mental health care and services for psychosis in the postnatal period. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 women who reported being treated for postpartum psychosis. Findings were analysed thematically. Women reported that healthcare professionals across maternity and mental health services often lacked awareness and knowledge of postpartum psychosis and did not always keep them or their partners/families informed, supported, and involved. Women wanted better collaboration between and within services, and more efficient, appropriate, and timely care. They valued inpatient services that could meet their needs, favouring Mother and Baby Units over general psychiatric wards. Early Intervention in Psychosis services and specialist perinatal community mental health teams were also well liked.

AB - Postpartum psychosis has been found to affect 0.89–2.6 per 1000 women. Onset is typically rapid and severe. Early recognition and appropriate treatment are crucial for a good prognosis. Our aim in this study was to understand women’s experiences of mental health care and services for psychosis in the postnatal period. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 women who reported being treated for postpartum psychosis. Findings were analysed thematically. Women reported that healthcare professionals across maternity and mental health services often lacked awareness and knowledge of postpartum psychosis and did not always keep them or their partners/families informed, supported, and involved. Women wanted better collaboration between and within services, and more efficient, appropriate, and timely care. They valued inpatient services that could meet their needs, favouring Mother and Baby Units over general psychiatric wards. Early Intervention in Psychosis services and specialist perinatal community mental health teams were also well liked.

KW - Partners

KW - Postnatal care

KW - Postpartum psychosis

KW - Qualitative

KW - Services

KW - Women

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85146607964&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1007/s10597-022-01002-z

DO - 10.1007/s10597-022-01002-z

M3 - Article

C2 - 35900686

AN - SCOPUS:85146607964

SN - 0010-3853

VL - 59

SP - 243

EP - 252

JO - Community Mental Health Journal

JF - Community Mental Health Journal

IS - 2

ER -