Supporting isolated new mothers in NSW using an e-Health program for postnatal depression: A translational research project

This research project was supported through the NSW Health Translational Research Grants Scheme. It was conducted across two local health districts, Murrumbidgee Local Health District and Western NSW Local Health District to investigate isolated women experience of post natal depression and anxiety. Given these women areisolated from traditional support services, this research explored the facilitators and barriers that exist and impact on the uptake of e-health interventions. Through a translational research approach using mixed methodology, it was found that multilayered interventions are required to ensure isolated women are able to fully engage in e-health interventions focused on postnatal depression and anxiety. These are articulated further within the report but here a brief summary is provided.
Interventions required from New South Wales Health include the provision of technology to ensure the clinicians have the equipment and web access to introduce and work with the mums, introducing them to e-health opportunities. Further, the strategies for introducing mums to e-health are included in the My Personal Health Record (The Blue Book).