This lightening talk highlights an innovative, volunteer-based program to support parents in the vulnerable postpartum period. The community organization trains volunteers to provide hands-on, in home, non-medically based companionship and support to parents with infants aged 0-12 weeks. New parents in the US face many barriers in accessing physical and mental health care in the perinatal period. Parents and caregivers often struggle with a range of problems including stress, isolation, and mental health concerns such as the baby blues and postpartum depression or anxiety. These issues affect people of color and of lower socioeconomic status at disproportionate rates, and these populations also require thoughtfully tailored interventions. The program is well-respected in the community and the program staff frequently receives positive anecdotal evidence about its services. A program evaluation took place to formally assess the program's outcomes in relation to patient satisfaction and outcomes measuring signs and symptoms of perinatal mood disorder. Some specific outcome measures included patient scores pre and post intervention on the Edinburgh postnatal depression screen and scales of stress and perceived support. The program evaluation was initially completed as a nursing student's doctoral project, and the student has since joined the nursing school faculty and continues to support the volunteer organization's evidence-based practice efforts. The interprofessional and interdisciplinary research and project team includes bachelors of nursing students, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, community health workers, and social workers. The lightening talk will discuss this organization's model as an innovative, patient-centered care model, as well as its potential to provide a wealth of knowledge for interdisciplinary researchers and practitioners to improve community-based care.
In support of improving patient care, this activity is planned and implemented by The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education Office of Interprofessional Continuing Professional Development (National Center OICPD). The National Center OICPD is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
As a Jointly Accredited Provider, the National Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The National Center maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive continuing education credits.
The National Center OICPD (JA#: 4008105) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers (ATs).
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.
Physicians: The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education designates this live activity for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with their participation.
Physician Assistants: The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME.
Nurses: Participants will be awarded contact hours of credit for attendance at this workshop.
Nurse Practitioners: The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME and ANCC.
Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians: This activity is approved for contact hours.
Athletic Trainers: This program is eligible for Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program.
Social Workers: As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the National Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The National Center maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive continuing education credits.
IPCE: This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.
Learners can claim CE credit by completing the Daily Evaluation.
