Training residents in maternal depression care to improve child health: A CERA study

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Untreated maternal depression negatively impacts both the mother and her children’s health and development. We sought to assess family medicine program directors’ (PDs) knowledge and attitudes regarding maternal depression management as well as resident training and clinical experience with this disorder. METHODS: Data were gathered through the Council of Academic Family Medicine’s (CAFM) Educational Research Alliance (CERA) national survey of family medicine PDs in US and Canadian programs, from January through February, 2018. RESULTS: Surveys were completed by 298 PDs (57.1% response rate) who were majority male (58.9%) and white (83.8%). Nearly all (90.2%) PDs agreed that family physicians should lead efforts to minimize the impact of maternal depression on child well-being. According to PD report, in the family medicine clinics where residents train, most (77.3%) have a clinic process that ensures that routine screening for depression occurs, and 54.4% do some screening of mothers during pediatric visits. Only 18.2% report routinely taking steps to minimize the impact of the mothers’ depression on child well-being. Finally, 41.3% of PDs reported being familiar with the literature on the impact of maternal depression on children; self-reported familiarity was significantly associated with more comprehensive resident training on this topic. CONCLUSIONS: Family medicine residency program directors are supportive of training in maternal depression, though their current knowledge is variable and there are opportunities to enhance care of mothers and children impacted by this common and serious disorder.