Guidance on providing telebehavioral health care for perinatal populations: An assessment of resources and gaps.

PURPOSE: Perinatal behavioral health conditions are a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Telehealth can reduce access barriers, but availability of implementation guidance specific to the perinatal period is unknown.

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive environmental scan of 71 organizational websites and nine semi-structured clinician interviews to identify clinician-facing telehealth implementation resources geared towards those practicing in the United States.

RESULTS

Twenty organizations (28%) published perinatal telehealth materials; sixteen provided nineteen unique resources specific to perinatal telebehavioral health. Most resources (n = 14) provided broad guidance relevant to the perinatal period, while six addressed prenatal telehealth care. No resources provided postpartum-specific guidance. Interviews revealed mixed perspectives on the adequacy of clinical guidance resources.

CONCLUSION

Limited and outdated resources, particularly the absence of postpartum‑specific guidance, suggest the need for coordinated, perinatal‑specific telebehavioral health implementation materials.