Mother and Baby Units matter: improved outcomes for both

BackgroundMother and Baby Units (MBUs) are usually preferred by patients and clinicians. Current provision is limited, although expansion is in progress. To ensure successful investment in services, outcome measurement is vital.AimsTo describe maternal outcomes, mother–infant outcomes and their rela...

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Main Authors: Lucy A. Stephenson, Alastair J. D. Macdonald, Gertrude Seneviratne, Freddie Waites, Susan Pawlby
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press 2018-05-01
Series:BJPsych Open
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2056472418000078/type/journal_article
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author Lucy A. Stephenson
Alastair J. D. Macdonald
Gertrude Seneviratne
Freddie Waites
Susan Pawlby
author_facet Lucy A. Stephenson
Alastair J. D. Macdonald
Gertrude Seneviratne
Freddie Waites
Susan Pawlby
author_sort Lucy A. Stephenson
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundMother and Baby Units (MBUs) are usually preferred by patients and clinicians. Current provision is limited, although expansion is in progress. To ensure successful investment in services, outcome measurement is vital.AimsTo describe maternal outcomes, mother–infant outcomes and their relationship in one MBU.MethodPaired maternal Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) scores, Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) scores and Crittenden CARE-Index (CCI) mother–infant interaction data were collected at admission and discharge.ResultsThere were significant improvements in BPRS (n = 152), HoNOS (n = 141) and CCI (n = 62) scores across diagnostic groups. Maternal BPRS scores and mother–infant interaction scores were unrelated. Improvement in maternal HoNOS scores was associated with improved maternal sensitivity and reduction in maternal unresponsiveness and infant passiveness.ConclusionsPositive outcomes were achieved for mothers and babies across all diagnostic groups. Reduction in maternal symptoms, as measured by BPRS, does not necessarily confer improvement in mother–infant interaction. MBU treatment should focus on both maternal symptoms and mother–infant interaction.Declaration of interestNone.
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spelling doaj.art-4c03b14b055a4236b10f0a0a41978f4f2023-03-09T12:28:45ZengCambridge University PressBJPsych Open2056-47242018-05-01411912510.1192/bjo.2018.7Mother and Baby Units matter: improved outcomes for bothLucy A. Stephenson0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6888-3853Alastair J. D. Macdonald1Gertrude Seneviratne2Freddie Waites3Susan Pawlby4Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UKChair, Trust Outcomes Group, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, and NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre, The Maudsley Hospital, London, UKAssociate Clinical Director and Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist, Perinatal Mental Health Services, South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation, London, UKDepartment of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UKDepartment of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK.BackgroundMother and Baby Units (MBUs) are usually preferred by patients and clinicians. Current provision is limited, although expansion is in progress. To ensure successful investment in services, outcome measurement is vital.AimsTo describe maternal outcomes, mother–infant outcomes and their relationship in one MBU.MethodPaired maternal Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) scores, Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) scores and Crittenden CARE-Index (CCI) mother–infant interaction data were collected at admission and discharge.ResultsThere were significant improvements in BPRS (n = 152), HoNOS (n = 141) and CCI (n = 62) scores across diagnostic groups. Maternal BPRS scores and mother–infant interaction scores were unrelated. Improvement in maternal HoNOS scores was associated with improved maternal sensitivity and reduction in maternal unresponsiveness and infant passiveness.ConclusionsPositive outcomes were achieved for mothers and babies across all diagnostic groups. Reduction in maternal symptoms, as measured by BPRS, does not necessarily confer improvement in mother–infant interaction. MBU treatment should focus on both maternal symptoms and mother–infant interaction.Declaration of interestNone.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2056472418000078/type/journal_articleMother and Baby Unitoutcome studiesperinatal psychiatrymother-infant interaction
spellingShingle Lucy A. Stephenson
Alastair J. D. Macdonald
Gertrude Seneviratne
Freddie Waites
Susan Pawlby
Mother and Baby Units matter: improved outcomes for both
BJPsych Open
Mother and Baby Unit
outcome studies
perinatal psychiatry
mother-infant interaction
title Mother and Baby Units matter: improved outcomes for both
title_full Mother and Baby Units matter: improved outcomes for both
title_fullStr Mother and Baby Units matter: improved outcomes for both
title_full_unstemmed Mother and Baby Units matter: improved outcomes for both
title_short Mother and Baby Units matter: improved outcomes for both
title_sort mother and baby units matter improved outcomes for both
topic Mother and Baby Unit
outcome studies
perinatal psychiatry
mother-infant interaction
url https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2056472418000078/type/journal_article
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