By Bushra Shah (Psychiatry)
Assistant Professor
VCU Health Systems
Richmond, VA
Fidelma Rigby (OB/GYN)
Professor OB/GYN, Maternal Fetal Division
VCU Health Systems
Richmond, VA
Our objectives were to discuss the outcomes of maternal mental illness in the context of social determinants of health and use case-based examples to help demonstrate triggers. We also wanted to point out progress in this area at VCUHS.
Dr. Shah began by building upon the excellent discussion of social determinants of health presented by the prior lectures. Dr. Rigby then presented three case-based examples: one from her days as an OB/GYN intern at Big Charity in New Orleans in 1989, then another from 2017 at VCUHS, which helped spur the development of the MOMs clinic at VCUHS. Finally, she presented a recent case from one of our satellite campuses highlighting the increased awareness of our medical students to this important topic.
Dr. Shah finished by summarizing the work of the MOMs clinic at VCUHS, which tries to provide wrap around services for our at risk MOMs, to include maternal fetal support, social work support, psychiatrist and counseling support and finally our post-partum support groups. An excellent question and answer period followed the discussion.
