[AVBC 2025] One Visit, Two Lives: Integrated Postnatal Depression Screening

Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 28 November 2025

Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Quality Improvement, Preventive Approach, Productivity, Workflow Redesign, Cost Saving, Time Saving, Risk Management, Value Based Care

About this Content

Aims

To integrate postnatal depression screening into infant care workflows to enable near-universal reach and timely intervention at minimal cost.

Background

Postnatal Depression (PND) affects up to 10% of new parents and can impair infant development and family well-being. Value-based care models prioritize early and efficient interventions to mitigate downstream health and social costs.

Methods

Postnatal Depression (PND) affects up to 10% of new parents and can impair infant development and family well-being. Value-based care models prioritize early and efficient interventions to mitigate downstream health and social costs.

Results

14,772 eligible infant visits led to 14,138 parents (95.7%) being screened, with 40 parents (0.28%) screening positive. 30 completed PHQ-9 with scores ranging from 1-22. Same-day intervention was provided to 33 parents (82.5%). The annual program cost was estimated at SGD 221,881.58, equating to SGD 15.69 per parent screened.

Conclusion

The integration of PND screening into infant care workflows demonstrates how primary care can serve as a strategic touchpoint for integrated mental health intervention.

Lessons Learnt

The integration of PND screening into infant care workflows demonstrates how primary care can serve as a strategic touchpoint for integrated mental health intervention.

Keywords

Postnatal Depression, Screening, Primary Care, Value-based Care, Infant Care

Innovators' Details

Connect with this contributor!

Chua Yu Cong Eugene - eugene_yc_chua@nhgp.com.sg

Project Attachment

905_NHGP_AVBC_2025_One_Visit_Two_Lives_Integrated_Postnatal_Depression_Screening.pdf