Stakeholders’ views and experiences of perinatal mental health care
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Stakeholders’ views and experiences of perinatal mental health care: a qualitative study
IRAS ID
139917
Contact name
Sonia Johnson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
UCL
Research summary
This study explores the views and experiences of key stakeholders involved in perinatal mental health services. Our focus is on women who have used perinatal services, but we will also explore the perspectives of significant others (fathers of the child, partners and other involved family members) and clinicians. Qualitative interviews will be conducted in approximately six Trusts. We will sample a range of perinatal and mental health services (e.g. mother and baby units, general community mental health teams) representing various ways of organising perinatal care (e.g. care from a specialist perinatal team who takes full responsibility for care, primary care only). Purposive sampling will identify 30 women who differ in terms of socio-demographics, rural/urban residence, experiences of accessing perinatal care, types of mental health problems and experiences of child protection proceedings. Interviews will focus on women’s views and experiences of perinatal care and its appropriateness to the needs of mothers. Twenty significant others, identified by participants, will be interviewed about their own experiences and those of the mother. Six focus groups will be conducted with clinicians from specialist perinatal mental health services and general psychiatric services, and clinicians from primary care and maternity services with experience of managing and referring women with perinatal mental health problems. Interviews will be offered if attendance at focus groups is not feasible. Focus groups will occur after interviews with women and significant others, with preliminary findings presented as the basis for discussion. Topic guides will be developed in collaboration with the study team and service users. Interviews and focus groups will be audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Analysis will focus on access to, availability of and appropriateness of support; gaps and discontinuities in care; and barriers and facilitators to meeting needs. The study will run for three years from 2013.
REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/1855
Date of REC Opinion
2 Apr 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion