Universal screening for postpartum depression: an inquiry into provider attitudes and practice.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the use of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) for detection of postpartum depression (PPD) in an academic medical center outpatient population and assessed knowledge and attitudes of obstetric providers regarding detection and treatment of PPD.


METHODS
A total of 512 charts were reviewed for demographic, medical, and psychiatric information. Also, a validated e-mail survey was sent to University of North Carolina obstetrical providers (n = 47).


RESULTS
Our chart review revealed that providers documented the EPDS score in 39% of visits and counseled patients on their score and/or depression in 35% of visits. The survey results show that all respondents agree that they are responsible for screening for PPD, and 94% are confident in diagnosing PPD.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of obstetric providers are not documenting the EPDS in their postpartum assessment, yet they feel responsible for and confident in screening for postpartum depression.
Delatte
Rachel
R
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. rdelatte@unch.unc.edu
Cao
Hongyuan
H
Meltzer-Brody
Samantha
S
Menard
M Kathryn
MK
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003625:Data Collection; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology*; D009657:North Carolina