Collaborative Care for High Risk Mothers

Untreated mental health problems have serious consequences for mothers and their children, but fewer than one in four depressed moms receive effective treatment. This project examined depression care and clinical outcomes for perinatal women treated in 14 clinics serving racially and ethnically diverse low-income patients as part of the Mental Health Integration Program (MHIP). The outcome of this project was published in Family Practice. Huang H. et al (2012) found that although there was substantial depression improvement in all four of the ethnic groups studied (Asian, Black, Latina, White), outcomes of Latina patients were higher than those of Black patients regardless of other demographic or clinical factors. Notably, this study shows that more intensive care management in the first month of treatment for primary care can lead to better outcomes for high-risk mothers experiencing depression. Another study describes the experiences of care managers working in this program, and found that motivational interviewing skills were a valuable asset in engaging patients in care, which generally leads to better outcomes. 

References 

1. Huang, H., Chan, Y.-F., Katon, W., Tabb, K., Sieu, N., Bauer, A. M., Wasse, J. K., & Unützer, J. (2012). Variations in depression care and outcomes among high-risk mothers from different racial/ethnic groups. Family Practice, 29(4), 394–400. https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmr108
2. Huang, H., Bauer, A. M., Wasse, J. K., Ratzliff, A., Chan, Y.-F., Harrison, D., & Unützer, J. (2013). Care managers’ experiences in a collaborative care program for high risk mothers with depression. Psychosomatics, 54(3), 272–276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psym.2012.07.011