New online resource for Health Professionals supporting women with postnatal depression
The Perinatal Depression e-Consortium (PDeC), led by the Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI), is excited to announce the availability of a health professionals clinician portal along with a range of evidence-based tools and resources to support general practice to better help women with perinatal depression and anxiety. As part of the Commonwealth-funded MumSpace initiative, PDeC offer MumMoodBooster and Mum2BMoodBooster: free, effective evidence-based online treatment programs for mild to moderately-severe antenatal and postnatal depression and anxiety.
Clinician Portal provides easy referral and monitoring of symptoms
Developed with GP’s, for health professionals, the customised clinician portal allows direct referral of patients to MumMoodBooster, where progress can be tracked. Once registered, health professionals can start to refer patients to the program using the online referral form, which contains a unique code to be used for all patients. When a patient registers for the program using their unique code, they can commence the MumMoodBooster treatment program. This same code can be given to any patient meaning there is no need to create separate accounts each time.
Through the portal, health professionals have secure access to view their patients’ assessment results and monitor their depression symptoms and risk. In the event that a patient’s symptoms escalate, the patient is notified (via email) to contact their health professional, with a copy of the email also going to their clinician.
Progress reports are available (at 1, 4 and 8 weeks). The first report will contain screening (The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale), psychological assessment results (PHQ-9 Patient Health Questionnaire), DSM-5 Cross-sectional symptom measure), and her program usage details.
Whilst a health professional may have already screened a patient, MumMoodBooster offers an additional EPDS screening assessment.
Register for a Clinician Portal Account via MumSpace HERE.
MumMoodBooster Programs
MumMoodBooster and Mum2BMoodBooster are evidence-based e-treatments designed to help women anywhere in Australia who are experiencing depression either during pregnancy (antenatal depression) or after the birth of their baby (postnatal depression).
Treatment programs are based on best practice psychological treatment. They are designed to deliver the benefits of face-to-face cognitive-behavioural treatment without needing to leave home.
These online treatments have been developed by the Parent-Infant Research Institute and have a strong evidence base and feature:
- Based on best-practice cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT)
- Proven effective in controlled scientific studies for clinically diagnosed depression
- As effective as face-to-face CBT
- Rapid reductions in depression, anxiety and stress
- Includes six interactive online treatment sessions
- SMS support and optional weekly phone coaching (for those at higher risk)
- Can be accessed 24/7
- The only e-treatment of its kind in Australia
The six sessions are designed to help women develop skills and strategies that will assist in improving their mood. Some of these skills include:
Behavioural Skills:
- Understanding and managing moods
- Pleasant activities – how can I find the time?
- Relaxation and stress management
Cognitive Skills:
- Managing negative thoughts
- Increasing positive thoughts
- Developing a more helpful thinking style
Additional information in the form of companion library articles is also accessible at any time on topics such as: communication skills, problem solving, stress management, getting support, time management, sleep and caring for baby, your baby’s needs and the couple relationship.
The MumMoodBooster program and phone calls are free of charge, and women do not have to attend the clinic as the program is accessed entirely online, in the comfort of one’s own home.
To learn more about MumMoodBooster, the Ranomised Controlled Trial and Evidence Base, visit the PIRI website.