Health visitors and postnatal depression: identification and practice

Abstract

In this paper we report on a small qualitative study to determine how health visitors identify postnatal depression (PND) and the implications this may have for practice. Six health visitors in a primary care trust (PCT) in northern England were interviewed and data were thematically coded. The four main themes identified related to variations in visiting patterns, training issues, identification of PND (client relationship, use of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and experience), and barriers to identifying PND, such as an inconsistent approach. The study concludes that all members of the primary healthcare team be involved in more multi-disciplinary training. A protocol to help detect and manage PND could be developed that is recognised and supported by all healthcare providers leading to a more consistent approach.