Description
Overviewroyal college of psychiatrists
Mental disorders affect 20% of women in the perinatal period and are one of the leading causes of maternal mortality. Many of the women with these problems are not recognised as being unwell and go untreated. Stigma in relation to mental health problems is a further barrier to women seeking appropriate help and support. Services for maternal mental health problems are not available in more than 50% of the UK and there is a lack of skills across the disciplines in detecting, assessing and managing the conditions as well as in service development.
This 2 day intensive course for obstetricians, gynaecologists and midwives will increase understanding of maternal mental disorders (nature, course, assessment and management) and the associated skills required in maternity services. The course will be delivered by experts from psychiatry, psychology, psychotherapy, obstetrics and midwifery in Perinatal Mental Health and the content will reflect the HEE PMH Competency Framework objectives.
Learning Objectives
To enable obstetrics and gynaecology doctors, midwives and allied professionals to identify and understand the aetiology, nature and course of mental health problems in pregnancy and the first year following childbirth
To understand the characteristics of disorders in the perinatal period which contribute to complexity and risk across physical, emotional and social domains
To enable participants to reflect on the role of stigma as a barrier to effective identification and management of mental disorders
To understand current developments in relation to services, care pathways and clinical networks
To understand that each discipline has a role to play in the care of women with mental disorders and to understand multi-disciplinary and multi-agency working and the need for good communication
To update professionals on the latest developments in management and treatment of mental disorders in the perinatal period (including physical and psychological strategies)
To understand the effects of maternal mental health problems on the developing fetus and infant
To understand what interventions may help with the mother-infant relationship
To understand how the participants can contribute to the development and provision of services
Course Organisers
Dr Karen Joash MRCOG, London
Dr Liz McDonald FRCPsych, London
Honorary Director of Conferences
Mr Philip Toozs-Hobson FRCOG, Birmingham
Honorary Deputy Director of Conference
Mr Andrew Sizer FRCOG, Shropshire