Alam, Faryaal
(2022)
The Utilization of Digital Technology and Electronic Health Platforms to Alleviate Postpartum Depression in Medically Underserved Areas.
Master Essay, University of Pittsburgh.
Abstract
Postpartum depression symptoms include sadness, feelings of anger, crying more often, difficulty sleeping, feeling disconnected from the baby. Primary risk factors include a previous history of depression, anxiety, low social support, stress during pregnancy, traumatic birth experience, and early cessation of breastfeeding. Mothers who have postpartum depression can impact the development of their children including impaired mental and motor development, behavioral issues, self-regulation, and low self-esteem. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists recommends that all providers screen for postpartum depression during each postpartum visit. As postpartum care is an on-going process, it is often hard for those from medically underserved and rural areas to travel every four to six weeks to receive care. Those in rural and underserved areas have to travel more than an hour to simply receive primary care, and many may not seek out specialty care. Therefore, it is important to have resources and adequate funding to provide for postpartum depression care within medically underserved areas.
The essay examines the current literature involving the utilization of digital technology and electronic health platforms to alleviate postpartum depression in medically underserved areas. The literature analysis was conducted with the OVID-Medline database; the literature found came from various locations, countries, demographic locations, and the type of digital technology utilized. The public health significance has been predominantly noted in the literature, as the women’s inability to bond with her child, having lasting outcomes throughout the duration of the child’s life. As digital technology and various telehealth platforms become more prominent, it is important to have a sustainable and feasible plan written into policy to assist the areas most in need of healthcare to cause change on a national and state level. By making these platforms more available as well as providing education regarding their benefits, postpartum care for rural and medically underserved areas will be improved.
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Details
| Item Type: |
Other Thesis, Dissertation, or Long Paper
(Master Essay)
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| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
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| Contributors: |
| Contribution | Contributors Name | Email | Pitt Username | ORCID  |
|---|
| Committee Chair | Hershey, Tina Batra | tbh16@pitt.edu | tbh16 | UNSPECIFIED | | Committee Member | Graff, Susan | sgg16@pitt.edu | sgg16 | UNSPECIFIED | | Committee Member | Cole, Evan | evancole@pitt.edu | evancole | UNSPECIFIED |
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| Date: |
12 May 2022 |
| Date Type: |
Completion |
| Number of Pages: |
42 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Public Health > Health Policy & Management |
| Degree: |
MHA - Master of Health Administration |
| Thesis Type: |
Master Essay |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Date Deposited: |
12 May 2022 17:07 |
| Last Modified: |
12 May 2022 17:07 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/42702 |
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