ed social programs exist specifically for the postpartum population (e.g., postpartum exercise classes, postpartum yoga, book clubs, support groups, information sharing groups)
Interviews with stakeholders to ascertain community goals related to health and occupation.
Obstetrics and Gynecological clinics
Pediatric Medicine clinics
Community hospitals/birthing centers
… to determine service goals and gaps in provisions of care that elicit positive impact to client populations served.
Measures of health status and intrinsic factors to determine the constraints and capabilities for occupational performance.
Quantitative data extraction to determine frequency and severity scores on PPD screening tools (e.g., the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale [EDPS] and Patient Health Questionaire [PHQ-9]) within the community
Use of survey to generate qualitative data inventory to determine perceptions of occupational impact upon postpartum population within the community
Measures of occupational participation and community engagement.
How are existing programs within the community being accessed and utilized?
What methods of advertising reach the greatest number of potential women in need (e.g., social media platforms, web-based advertising, doctor office pamphlets, direct inquiry to healthcare professionals)?
Collect quantitative/qualitative data regarding perceived needs and interests for occupational resources/outlets or programs that may be implemented.
(adapted from Scaffa, Reitz, & Pizzi, 2010, p. 216)
The desired outcomes of occupational therapy intervention at the community level are congruent with the objectives for outcomes at the individualized level of care. As outlined within the OTPF, the primary objectives of occupational intervention are to achieve health and wellness; prevention of injury, disease, and disability; occupational performance; role competence; adaptation; client satisfaction; and quality of life (AOTA, 2014; Scaffa, Reitz, & Pizzi, 2010). To achieve these outcomes, intervention may potentially include one or more of the following approaches: create, promote, prevent, educate, consult, compensate, adapt, modify, maintain, remediate, restore, and establish (Scaffa, Reitz, & Pizzi, 2010).
Empowering women to break through the barriers of social stigma and the fear of being labeled in a negative capacity during this pivotal time of maternal role acquisition is an imperative priority for all members of the healthcare community. The efforts that have been made to increase awareness of and advocate for change in this patient population are in the early phases, and much work is yet to be done. Increasing receptivity to intervention services requires full-scale interdisciplinary strategy, with emphasis on an integrated approach. Repeated references to the need for client-centered intervention strategies, with culturally sensitive considerations, emerge as themes within the literature review. Assessing and determining the unique needs for individualized care in the scope of the client’s occupational profile may serve as a potentially less stigmatizing and more empowering methodology for initiating effective intervention strategy. While simultaneously targeting program development and community health initiatives at the population level should be considered a primary objective of the occupational therapy profession to elicit positive impacts to overall perceptions of wellbeing and quality of life at both the individual and community levels through increased access to care and the promotion of health and wellness.
FOR AT RISK CONSUMERS
The American Psychological Association’s Consumer Help Center can help you find a local psychologist:
Call 1-800-964-2000, or visit online. You can also view the APA's official brochure on PPD here.
Find local support and help options at Postpartum Support International
Learn more about Postpartum Depression, treatment interventions, and how to get help finding support options at PostpartumDepression.org
Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans [2nd edition] (link to PDF)
FOR WOMEN'