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. 2023 Jul-Aug:83:81-85.
doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2023.04.012. Epub 2023 Apr 23.

To screen or not to screen: Are we asking the right question? In response to considering de-implementation of universal perinatal depression screening

Rachel Vanderkruik  1 , Marlene P Freeman  2 , Ruta Nonacs  2 , Michael Jellinek  3 , Margaret L Gaw  4 , Charlotte A Clifford  4 , Stephen Bartels  5 , Lee S Cohen  2
Affiliations

To screen or not to screen: Are we asking the right question? In response to considering de-implementation of universal perinatal depression screening

Rachel Vanderkruik et al. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2023 Jul-Aug.

Abstract

This Editorial is a response to the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care's recent recommendation "against instrument-based depression screening using a questionnaire with cut-off score to distinguish 'screen positive' and 'screen negative' administered to all individuals during pregnancy and the postpartum period (up to 1 year after childbirth)." While we acknowledge the gaps and limitations in research on perinatal mental health screening, we have concerns regarding the potential impact of a recommendation against screening and for "de-implementation" of existing perinatal depression screening practices, particularly if there is not careful attention to the specificity as well as limitations of the recommendation, or if there are not clear alternative systems put in place to support the detection of perinatal depression. In this manuscript, we highlight some of our key concerns and suggest considerations for perinatal mental health practitioners and researchers.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Competing Interest The authors report no proprietary or commercial interest in any product mentioned or concept discussed in this article.