Text And Telephone Screening And Referral Improved Detection And Treatment Of Maternal Mental Health Conditions

Health Affairs April 1, 2024
Constance Guille, Courtney King, Kathryn King, Ryan Kruis, Dee Ford, Lizmarie Maldonado, Paul J. Nietert, Kathleen T. Brady, Roger B. Newman

Abstract

Effective screening and referral practices for perinatal mental health disorders, perinatal substance use disorders (SUDs), and intimate partner violence are greatly needed to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. We conducted a randomized controlled trial from January 2021 to April 2023 comparing outcomes between Listening to Women and Pregnant and Postpartum People (LTWP), a text- and telephone-based screening and referral program, and usual care in-person screening and referral within the perinatal care setting. Participants assigned to LTWP were three times more likely to be screened compared with those assigned to usual care. Among participants completing a screen, those assigned to LTWP were 3.1 times more likely to screen positive, 4.4 times more likely to be referred to treatment, and 5.7...

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