Optimizing Postpartum Care | Dr. Beth Oller: Reducing Perinatal Mental Health Stigma

This episode in our Inside Family Medicine series focused on optimizing postpartum care using the fourth trimester model features Beth Lawson Oller, MD, FAAFP, a family medicine physician from rural Kansas. She shares resources to help improve patient outcomes.

The episode underlines the critical role family physicians play in recognizing and managing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), enhancing patient outcomes through early intervention, and collaborating with specialists.

Dr. Oller shares her work to enhance mental health care for perinatal patients, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing PMADs. She highlights the efficacy of systematic screening with tools like the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the value of physician training in perinatal mental health, and the significance of understanding community resources.

Dr. Oller also offers practical advice for integrating mental health care into routine practice and encourages a proactive, team-based approach to supporting perinatal patients.

Some of the resources related to this episode include:

• PMADs: Resources for Family Physicians
• AAFP Center for Women's Health
• Postpartum Care Plan Template
• Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)
• PHQ-9
• GAD-7
• Postpartum Support International (PSI)
• National Maternal Mental Health Hotline

Topics by Timestamp

• 00:00 Welcome to Inside Family Medicine: Optimizing Postpartum Care
• 00:26 Meet Dr. Beth Oller: A Rural Family Medicine Practitioner
• 01:06 Enhancing Mental Health Care in Perinatal Patients
• 03:19 Training and Resources for Perinatal Mental Health Care
• 05:06 The Importance of Community Resources and Patient Engagement
• 06:22 Positive Patient Responses and the Impact of Mental Health Conversations
• 09:52 Implementing Mental Health Screenings: Tips and Workflow Integration
• 12:17 Identifying and Mitigating Risk Factors for Perinatal Mental Health
• 17:01 The Role of Family Physicians in Perinatal Mental Health Care
• 19:17 Key Takeaways and Action Steps for Practitioners
• 21:08 Closing Remarks and Acknowledgments

Funding Statement: This podcast episode is supported by Sage Therapeutics and Biogen.

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