A national survey on adaptations by perinatal psychiatry access programs to promote perinatal mental healthcare equity

Abstract

ObjectivePerinatal Psychiatry Access Programs (“Access Programs”) are system-level interventions that aim to build the capacity of perinatal healthcare professionals to address mental health, and thereby improve access to perinatal mental healthcare. Access Programs are widely implemented and positioned to promote health equity in perinatal mental healthcare, but little is known about the adaptations being made to the model in response to calls to promote health equity. MethodsOne respondent from each of the 14 Access Programs (n = 14) completed an online survey that queried on adaptations made to promote perinatal mental healthcare equity. ResultsTwelve of the 14 Access Program team members (86%) indicated implementation of at least one new equity initiative. The average number of initiatives that a single Access Program implemented was 3.5 (range 0–10). Two Access Programs (14%) implemented 8.5 initiatives (range: 7–10), indicating that a small cohort is leading promotion of equity among Access Programs. ConclusionEfforts to further expand the capacity and services of Access Programs to address perinatal mental healthcare inequities are needed. These adaptations may provide a robust opportunity for implementation initiatives to promote health equity through a system-level intervention.