|
We are thrilled with the success of our NIMH-funded,
web-based education for Postpartum Depression (PPD),
www.MedEdPPD.org. With colleagues Cindi Logsdon, DNS, and Brian Shanahan, CEO of MediSpin Inc. in New York, we
launched the site in January, 2007. Primary care providers have the most
medical contact with postpartum women and are well positioned to screen for and
identify PPD. However, PPD recognition and treatment is generally not included
in physician training, and few continuing education programs on PPD are
available. The site was designed to provide professionals with the tools to
successfully engage, screen, diagnose, treat, and refer women with PPD.
Resources on the site include CME/CE modules; interactive case studies; classic
papers and current literature; provider tools; a comprehensive slide library;
events calendar; and resources. MedEdPPD also contains materials for women with
PPD, their friends and family members.
As of March 2008, the site had over 17,000 visitors who
represented both consumers and a broad distribution of health care professional
disciplines. The nine CME/CE learning modules on
www.MedEdPPD.org have been particularly heavily utilized by nurses. The
number of repeat and new visitors has increased steadily since the site’s
launch. User feedback has been consistently positive. Based upon theories of
adult education, MedEdPPD offers diverse strategies to facilitate learning. The
site promotes education and training in PPD treatment that is flexible,
cost-effective, and meets the needs of health care professionals. An analysis
of the site will be published in the Archives of Women’s Mental Health. We
invite you to browse the site!
We need your help! We are not meeting our goals for entry of pregnant
women with bipolar disorder into our NIMH-funded observational study, Antimanic Use during Pregnancy (women do not have to be taking any medication despite
the title!). PLEASE tell any pregnant woman with bipolar disorder to contact us
and take advantage of the careful evaluation and follow up for mother and baby!
The study team will:
·
provide expert consultation to the treating physician and patient
·
gain much-needed information on pregnancy outcomes and infant
development
·
assess women starting at 20 weeks pregnancy through one year after
birth
·
report the results of each assessment to the woman’s treating
physician, or help the woman find treatment if she desires.
THANK YOU!
|
