An Evaluation of Perinatal Mental Health Treatment Experiences Using Patient Rated Experience and Outcome Measure (POEM)

Since 2016, policymakers in the UK have invested heavily in specialist services for women presenting with moderate to severe mental health difficulties during the perinatal period, funding new perinatal community teams. This study aimed to explore the experiences of clients, their partners, and families using a new Perinatal Community Mental Health team in the East of England between 2017-2019. Both quantitative and qualitative data from the Patient-rated Outcome and Experience Measure (POEM) were analyzed. While most service users and their families reported a positive experience of using the service, a small number reported negative experiences. The researchers used framework analysis for qualitative data and identified five themes: Containing, responsive, and attuned; Minding the gap; Let down, misattuned, and unsupported; Falling through the gap; Praise and gratitude—changing lives. The psychometric properties, reliability, and validity of the POEM are discussed alongside the important implications for the service and future research into the service user experience of perinatal services.