San Diego Family Care

The proposed project is the adoption and use of the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression
Screening (EPDS) instrument to screen postpartum mothers who seek pediatric primary care
services at San Diego Family Care (SDFC) in Linda Vista. San Diego Family Care has
reached out to the Hahn School of Nursing (HSON) at USD to implement this vital screening
to counteract the low rate of detection among mothers, thereby preventing long lasting
childhood complications in our communities. HSON Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
student Margo Cohen guided by Faculty Advisor Dr. Karen Macauley, PhD, DNP, SDFC
Medical Director Dr. Aaron Zaheer, MD, and Dr. Susan Instone, PhD, PNP will implement
maternal depression screening at 1-week, 1-month, and 4-month well-baby checks and
educate providers on the importance of early detection of maternal postpartum depression
along with community resources for treatment and support. This project will commence this
fall and span over the next two years. In alignment with DNPC 630 course objectives, this
collaboration will contribute to student learning by providing leadership opportunities for
students to design, deliver, and evaluate a comprehensive evidenced-based project
incorporating advanced practice nursing competencies.

Contact: macauley@sandiego.edu