Environmental scan of online resources for care providers on perinatal depression

Introduction : Around 20% of mothers and 10% of fathers experience mental health challenges during the perinatal period, spanning from conception to one year postpartum. Perinatal healthcare providers play a crucial role in identifying and addressing these issues, but many parents struggle to access adequate care. Various online resources guide providers with screening, referrals, and treatment options. However, their quality varies, with some websites lacking current, relevant, or well-organized information. Objectives : This study aims to conduct an environmental scan to compile, describe, and evaluate online resources for healthcare providers on perinatal depression in French and English. A secondary objective is to identify information gaps concerning areas such as screening, treatment, culture-related content, and trauma-informed care. Methods : A grey literature search was conducted on websites from health organizations, governments, advocacy groups, and perinatal research alliances using Google Chrome. Inclusion criteria required that the resource targeted care providers, was available in French or English, and was presented in website format. Two independent evaluators assessed resources for accuracy (symptoms, risk factors, cultural considerations, trauma-informed care, and impact), inclusion of screening and treatment guidance, website quality, and audience relevance. Scoring was based on criteria adapted from established guidelines (e.g., CANMAT & SOGC) and prior research to identify high-quality, evidence-based resources. Descriptive analyses were conducted to summarize website quality. Results : Twenty-three websites met the inclusion criteria. Results showed that more than half of the expected information was found on 74% of websites for symptoms, 65% for risk factors and screening quality, 61% for the impact on children, and 43% for treatment quality and barriers. The impact on parents was the least covered, with only 17% of websites providing more than half of the relevant information. Conclusion : This environmental scan highlights the strengths and limitations of the information available online on perinatal depression for healthcare professionals.