Maternal mental health: a key area for future research among women with congenital heart disease

Karin Eli*, Anna Lavis*, James S Castleman, Paul F Clift, Caroline E Fox, Donna Giles, Laura Grocott, Kirsty Harrison, Lucy E Hudsmith, Katharina Kaplan, Heather McDougall, Charlene Powell, Nigel E Drury

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

In this viewpoint, we respond to the recently published national priorities for research in congenital heart disease (CHD) among adults, established through the James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership, with specific attention to priority 3 (mental health) and priority 5 (maternal health). Our recent policy impact project explored how maternal mental health is currently addressed in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) services in the National Health Service, identified gaps and discussed possible ways forward. Our multidisciplinary discussion groups, which included women with lived experience of CHD and pregnancy, cardiology and obstetrics clinicians and medical anthropologists, found that while pregnancy and the postnatal period increase the mental health challenges faced by women with CHD, current services are not yet equipped to address them. Based on this work, we welcome the prioritisation of both mental health and maternal health in ACHD, and suggest that future research should focus on the overlaps between these two priority areas.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere002312
JournalOpen Heart
Volume10
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12 Oct 2023

Bibliographical note

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

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