Lifeline4Moms

Perinatal depression assessment & decision support tool for obstetric providers

Lifeline4Moms is a provider-facing app to provide decision-support to obstetric providers as they address maternal mental health needs of their perinatal patients. The app has 5 distinct sections that include: Screening; Assessment; Treatment; Medication Chart; and Risks and Benefits of Meds. The app does not provide individualized medical recommendations, but presents evidence-based guidelines that specifically address the mental health needs of perinatal women. Screening allows providers to enter the depression screen score (from the EPDS – the depression screen used by most obstetric providers) and then be taken to Assessment, which helps providers understand different screen scores, details severity of symptoms, provides possible talking points about how to explain screen to patients, and suggest possible treatment options. Treatment maps out a range of evidence-based treatment options including Self Care, Support Groups, Therapy, and Medication. In each section, there is the possibility of using Talking Points to help providers know how to talk about mental health issues and concerns with their patients. Before accessing the Medication Chart, providers are taken through a Bipolar Disorder Screen (2-3 questions), as this is best practice before considering medication for depression. Providers will then navigate through a series of questions based on patients current medication practices (e.g., are they currently taking an antidepressant; do they have a history of taking antidepressants). Providers will then have access to information that describes best practices for first (SSRI) and second line treatment strategies, as well as information re: starting doses, strategies to increase meds, therapeutic range, side effects of meds, and next steps based on clinical improvement vs. no clinicial improvement. There is also access to additional resources.