How do women with postnatal depression experience listening visits in primary care? A qualitative interview study

Abstract

Background: Listening visits are a routine intervention offered to women with postnatal depression. Objectives: To explore the experiences of women who have received listening visits for postnatal depression. Methods: An in‐depth qualitative interview study involving a purposive sample of 39 postnatal women from patients of 22 general practices within Oxford City PCG area. This paper addresses the question: What factors affected women's experience of listening visits for postnatal depression? A qualitative thematic analysis was used. Results: Sixteen women reported receiving listening visits. The factors that made listening visits a positive experience were: (1) agreeing with a medical model for postnatal depression; (2) a good relationship with the health visitor; (3) being offered choices and options; (4) a clear and flexible process for the visits. Conclusions: This study showed that there certain conditions that needed to be met if women with postnatal depression were to view listening visits as a positive experience. These results need to be evaluated in a larger study since this intervention is already so widespread.