Abstract
Purpose—To assess nurses' views of a nursing model in which nurses screen and also treat new
mothers who exhibit symptoms of depression.
Study Design and Methods—This is Part 1 of this descriptive survey (Part 2 in MCN 35(4)), in
which nurses (n=520) completed a statewide survey assessing nurses' views of a model of nursing
care which both screens and treats postpartum depression.
Results—The majority “strongly agreed” or “agreed” with the statement “having nurses screen for
depression using a brief screening tool is a good idea”. Most (67.1%) chose the Ob-Gyn Clinic as
the appropriate site for such screening. Regarding treatment by nurses, the vast majority of nurses
(93.7%) “agreed” or “strongly agreed” with the statement “nurse-delivered counseling with mildly
depressed women is a good idea.” Almost one-half of the nurses already regularly provided some
form of counseling and approximately three quarters were willing to participate in a counseling skills
training program. Less than 1.0% (n=3) indicated that nurse-delivered counseling should not be
implemented. The most frequently chosen setting for a nurse-delivered counseling program was
home visits (70.6%, n=367).