Facilitated Transitions From Postpartum to Primary Care Coordination for People With Chronic Conditions

Conditions studied

Hypertension, Diabetes, Postpartum, Pregnancy, Anxiety, Depression, Obesity

About this study

The lack of postpartum primary care coordination is a missed opportunity to increase primary care engagement and manage chronic conditions early in life, especially for the \>30% of pregnant people who have or are at risk for these conditions. This study aims to increase postpartum primary care engagement, quality, and experience by strengthening postpartum transitions to primary care using a behavioral economics-informed, multi-component intervention integrated into usual inpatient postpartum care. Using a randomized controlled trial and repeated outcome assessments through administrative and survey data, this study will generate rigorous, actionable evidence to ensure primary care coordination becomes standard postpartum care practice, potentially catalyzing sustained primary care engagement throughout life.

Interventions

• Other: Facilitated Transition to Primary Care — The intervention includes default PCP visit scheduling, tailored nudge messages to patients, ongoing care recommendations sent to the PCP, and a summary of recommendations after pregnancy given to the patient.

Primary outcomes

• Completion of a primary care visit (155 days after date of delivery)
• Receipt of condition-specific recommended health screening and counseling by a primary care practitioner (155 days after date of delivery)
• Self-report of having a known, reliable primary care practitioner (155 days after date of delivery)
• Self-report of mental health (155 days after date of delivery)

Eligibility information

Study locations

• Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115 United States