Evaluation of an Inpatient Psychiatric Mother-Baby Unit Using a Patient Reported Experience and Outcome Measure

Abstract

Understanding the patient experience of admission to a psychiatric mother-baby unit (MBU) informs service improvement and strengthens patient-centered care. This study aims to examine patients’ experience, satisfaction, and change in mental health status related to MBU admission. At discharge, 70 women admitted to a public MBU completed the Patient Outcome and Experience Measure (POEM), rated the usefulness of therapeutic groups, and provided written qualitative feedback. Paired sample t-tests, correlations, and thematic content analysis were completed. Women were highly satisfied with the level of care and support received, particularly for those who were voluntarily admitted. Women reported an improvement in mental health from admission to discharge. Women appreciated the staff’s interpersonal skills, provision of practical skills, education, advice, support from other women, and therapeutic groups offered. Women suggested improvements such as having greater food choices, more MBU beds, more group sessions, family visitations, which had been restricted due to COVID-19, environmental modifications, and clarity of communication surrounding discharge. This study highlights the benefits of MBUs and the specific aspects of care that are favorable in treating women with mental illnesses who are co-admitted with their baby in an MBU.

Uncovering the Model and Philosophy of Care of a Psychiatric Inpatient Mother-Baby Unit in a Qualitative Study with Staff

“…The Lavender MBU is an acute mental health inpatient service that provides specialist perinatal assessment and treatment for women with significant mental health difficulties that cannot be managed in the community and their baby(s) [ 18 ]. Women eligible for admission require inpatient treatment for a mental health condition that cannot be managed in the community, have an infant under 12 months old, reside in Queensland (Australia), and are not homeless or at risk of homelessness.…”

“…Previous research comparing MBUs to general psychiatric wards found that patients and staff preferred the MBU, describing superior facilities, treatment, and holistic, perinatally-focused support [ 17 ]. Australian patients evaluating their experiences gave overwhelmingly positive feedback, reporting improvements in parenting knowledge and confidence, and a positive change in their own mental health status [ 18 ]. Evaluations of MBUs in several countries displayed strong evidence for their effectiveness in treating maternal mental health, while also identifying improved health and relationships for the co-admitted infants [ 2 , 19 , 20 ].…”

Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an electronic mindfulness-based intervention to improve maternal mental health in the peripartum: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

“…Pre-and post-natal psychiatric illness is a signi cant global health issue, affecting around 20% of women while remaining largely underdiagnosed and undertreated [2][3][4][5]. An estimated one in ve women will experience postnatal depression or anxiety in the rst year after the birth of their child [2,6,7]. Approximately one in 10 women will experience clinically signi cant symptoms of depression during pregnancy [6].…”