Primary care for women. Comprehensive assessment and management of common mental health problems.
This article emphasizes the importance of the role of the certified nurse-midwife (CNM) in the primary care assessment of, and appropriate referral for women with mental health problems, especially in cases of psychiatric emergencies. Essential aspects of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of the more common psychiatric problems are included, and the treatment modalities that are considered when referral results in psychiatric intervention are reviewed. In addition, the overall prevalence of mental health problems in women, the frequency with which primary care providers may encounter mental health problems, and issues of mental health care utilization are discussed.