Recorded presentation

Barbara Gottlieb, MD, MPH, Brookside Community Health Center, 3297 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130, 617 522-4700, bgottlieb@partners.org and Cindy Engler Engler, MPH, RN, Boston Public Health Commission, 1010 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02118.

The childbearing years are critical to the lifelong health of women and the well-being of children and families. The care that childbearing age women receive is often narrowly focused on reproductive concerns, failing to identify prevalent conditions that adversely affect women's health, including depression, domestic violence and substance abuse. While primary care settings are ideal for screening for these problems, this potential is rarely realized because of lack of appropriate screening tools and training, and inadequate referral systems. Community health centers (CHCs) provide comprehensive care for diverse and under-served populations, however they are typically resource-poor, when it comes to addressing these problems. Increasingly, the burden of screening, assessment and treatment for these problems falls within the scope of primary care. The Pre-conception Screening and Assessment Project (PSAP), funded by the HRSA Maternal and Child Health Bureau, is a collaboration between community health centers, public health agencies, and representatives of academic institutions. PSAP seeks to develop the capacity of community health centers providers to: (1) screen for depression, domestic violence and substance abuse; (2) provide effective initial assessment and care in the primary care setting; and (3) provide appropriate referrals.

This presentation will cover: (1) development of a screening tool for use in routine primary care encounters; (2) a training model for primary care providers in the skills of brief interventions around depression, substance abuse and domestic violence; (3) baseline rates of screening for depression, domestic violence and substance abuse in two community health center sites, and changes in the early phases of implementation.

Learning Objectives:

• To discuss an effective collaboration between community health centers, public health agencies and academic experts to improve care and eliminate disparities in women's health.
• To discuss the development of screening tools for application in a busy and diverse primary care setting.

Keywords: Maternal and Child Health, Community Health Centers

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employed as staff physician.

Recorded presentation