PERCEPTION OF SCREENING AND DIAGNOSIS OF POST-PARTUM DEPRESSION IN A PRIVATE HEALTH CLINIC IN SANTIAGO CHILE.

Introduction: Post-partum depression (PPD) occurs during pregnancy and up to one year after birth. The prevalence of PPD in Chile varies between 10 – 36%. If not treated at its early stages, PPD can have severe consequences for the child-mother bonding, child development and the mother’s overall health. At public health care clinics in Chile there is a standardized procedure for screening and treatment of PPD. There is not such a program at private clinics. Aims: To collect data from health-care personnel and pregnant/mothers consulting at a private teaching ambulatory health care clinic about their perceptions of the application of government’s recommendations for PPD screening and diagnosis protocols. Materials and Methods: A qualaitative metholody rooted on Grounded Theory will be used. Focus groups will be conducted with health care personnel and semi-structured interviews with pregnant women and mothers of children up to one year of age. Expected Results: (1) Identify key issues regarding implementation of PPD screening and diagnosis protocols at private care health clinics from health care personnel. (2) Establish patients’ perception about relevance of PPD and screening protocols. (3) Promote coordinated work across health care personnel involved in PPD screening and diagnosis protocols. Relevance: Results of this project will allow the development of an effective PPD screening, diagnosis and treatment at this private center.