
NewYork-Presbyterian (NYP) pioneers maternal mental health care, using doulas to address disparities exacerbated by COVID-19. Prabhu highlights the cycle of stress impacting mothers and infants, underscoring the need for comprehensive care. NYP’s interdisciplinary Postpartum Doula Program focuses on patient-centered support, integrating obstetric, pediatric, and mental health care. By leveraging doulas as advocates and closely monitoring outcomes, NYP aims for holistic two-generational wellness. Through partnerships and data-driven analysis with the Dalio Center for Health Justice, they ensure equitable care.
Amidst the maternal mental health crisis, NYP confronts disparities intensified by the pandemic. Prabhu emphasizes the distressing impact on expectant mothers, underscoring systemic barriers hindering mental healthcare access. The solution lies in NYP’s innovative approach to integrating doulas within an interdisciplinary care model. This patient-centered strategy aims to bridge gaps between obstetric and pediatric care, offering vital mental health support. By utilizing electronic health records and collaborative efforts, NYP strives for holistic care to break the generational cycle of health challenges.
NewYork-Presbyterian (NYP) is taking bold steps to address the pervasive issue of maternal mental health by introducing innovative care strategies. Recognizing the significant disparities and challenges faced by expectant mothers, particularly exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, the healthcare organization is leveraging the expertise of doulas to bridge critical treatment gaps.
Davina Prabhu, Vice President of the Ambulatory Care Network at NYP, emphasized the historical and amplified disparities in maternal and early childhood health in the United States, particularly affecting Black and Hispanic families and those with limited resources. These disparities hinder access to mental healthcare and contribute to adverse maternal health outcomes.
Factors like food and housing insecurity, transportation limitations, and inadequate health insurance coverage compound stressors for many mothers. Prabhu highlighted the distressing impact of this toxic stress, not only on the mother but also on the developing child, extending its effects into the critical first thousand days of a child’s life. Delayed or absent mental health care perpetuates a generational cycle of health challenges.
To combat these systemic issues, NYP is redefining care approaches by focusing on patient access and dismantling barriers hindering care. By partnering with the Dalio Center for Health Justice and conducting community health assessments, NYP identified strategies to promote maternal well-being.
Recognizing the inadequacy of the existing care model, NYP introduced an interdisciplinary approach through the NYP Postpartum Doula Program. This patient-centric model involves obstetricians, pediatricians, mental health professionals, and doulas collaborating closely, engaging with pregnant individuals in their final trimester, and extending support into the postpartum period.
The program aims to facilitate a smoother transition from obstetric care to pediatric care while offering continuous mental health support to detect and address postpartum depression or anxiety. Leveraging electronic health records (EHRs), the care team monitors the well-being and outcomes of both mother and child, ensuring a comprehensive and collaborative care plan.
Central to this innovative approach is the pivotal role of doulas. Rooted in a centuries-old tradition of women supporting women during childbirth, the resurgence of doulas in modern healthcare signifies a shift towards patient-centered care. Doulas act as advocates, providing invaluable support to families, aiding in infant care, and assisting in the emotional and physical recovery post-delivery.
The collaboration between the NYP Postpartum Doula Program and the Dalio Center for Health Justice allows for meticulous data analysis to evaluate program efficacy. Prabhu emphasized the focus on quality outcomes, aiming to reduce preterm births, enhance health literacy, and improve engagement in prenatal care. They meticulously analyze data by demographic factors to ensure equitable care.
Partnering with the NYP Dalio Center for Health Justice enables precise data collection and analysis, allowing continuous improvements in program effectiveness. Prabhu stressed the importance of accurately collecting demographic information and dissecting data to drive improvements tailored to specific patient needs.
In essence, NYP’s pioneering doula-led maternal mental health initiative signifies a transformative approach. Through the Postpartum Doula Program and meticulous data analysis, NYP targets holistic care, aiming to improve outcomes for mothers and infants. This innovative model, driven by interdisciplinary collaboration and patient advocacy, addresses systemic disparities. By harnessing the power of doulas and partnering with the Dalio Center for Health Justice, NYP ensures tailored, equitable care. Ultimately, this comprehensive approach not only supports maternal mental health but also lays the foundation for improved wellness across generations.