Research themes and projects at the Key Centre for Women's Health in Society
Project title
Development and testing of an Enhanced Discharge Summary Form (EDSF)
Major research theme
Other themes
Investigators
- A/Prof Jane Fisher, CWHGS, School of Population Health, The University of Melbourne
- Dr Heather Rowe, CWHGS, School of Population Health, The University of Melbourne
- A/Prof Jane Gunn, Department of General Practice, The University of Melbourne
Funding
- Diamond Consortium, 2005-2006, $7,023
Summary
Women admitted with their infants to Australia’s residential early parenting programs have poor mental health, substantial unrecognised physical co-morbidity and complex adverse co-incidental social circumstances. Depression and anxiety persist in some women after completing residential early parenting programs, but most do not regard themselves as being affected by mental illness and have a relatively low uptake of services that could assist them. Significant numbers do not have a relationship with a general practitioner or a maternal and child health nurse. This project aims to develop and evaluate an Enhanced Discharge Summary Form (EDSF) to be used as a patient / practitioner communication tool to increase uptake of primary and specialist mental health care by families who have completed residential early parenting programs.