Spotlight: Women & Infants Hospital's Dr. Zobeida Diaz on impact of RI MomsPRN and crucial support during perinatal period

As providers across the state utiilize the RI MomsPRN teleconsultation line, we asked Zobeida Diaz, MD, MS at Women & Infants Hospital to reflect on its impact.

How would you describe the RI MomsPRN teleconsultation line?
The RI MomsPRN teleconsultation line is a service that enables any provider in the state of RI to obtain resources and education about the services available to pregnant and breastfeeding women, who may be experiencing psychiatric symptoms, including but not limited to depression, anxiety, or substance abuse. Our mission is to empower all providers to screen for these disorders knowing that services are readily available for their patients. One of the services available through RI MomsPRN is the medication consultation line, which provides rapid access to a perinatal psychiatrist who can provide guidance on which psychiatric medications may be most appropriate to start, considering the available safety data in pregnancy and lactation.

Can you provide an example of how it supports medical providers serving perinatal patients?
The RI MomsPRN teleconsultation line provides access to our Resource and Referral Specialist, who has collected information on the many resources available to the perinatal population in the state. Our Resource and Referral Specialist also facilitates referrals to perinatal mental health specialists and/or programs in the area. Given the high demand for psychiatric providers, and the wait time that could delay treatment, the medication consultation component of RI MomsPRN allows medical providers to initiate medications with guidance from our perinatal psychiatrist to provide relief to their patients while awaiting psychiatric evaluations.  

How is RI MomsPRN changing access or addressing a need in the perinatal population?
Given the high prevalence of psychiatric illnesses in the perinatal period, and the devastating consequences of untreated mental illness during this time period, it is imperative that women receive the services they need as quickly as possible. The RI MomsPRN program allows for quick access to resources and referrals that medical providers may not have the time to discover on their own. Knowing that this service is available, medical providers can feel more confident screening for psychiatric symptoms and initiating a treatment plan with perinatal specialists.