Behavioral Intervention for Postpartum Care

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byJessica L Cohen, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Chronic health conditions affect most older adults. Preventative medicine and risk management strategies, especially when applied earlier in life, are essential to altering the trajectory of a disease and ultimately improving health outcomes. Primary care providers (PCP) often provide most of these services, though younger adults are the least likely to receive primary care. This project leverages a period of high engagement and health activation during an individual's life (pregnancy) to nudge her toward use of primary care after the pregnancy episode. This randomized controlled trial will test the hypothesis that a behavioral science-informed intervention, incorporating defaults and salience, can increase the rates of PCP follow-up within 4 months following a delivery for individual with hypertension, diabetes, obesity. If successful, this intervention could serve as a scalable solution to increase primary care use and preventative health services in a population that currently has low rates of engagement and utilization of these services.

Research Team

Mark A Clapp, MD, MPH

Principal Investigator

Massachusetts General Hospital

Jessica L Cohen, PhD

Principal Investigator

Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH)

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for pregnant individuals or those within 2 weeks post-delivery, aged 18+, with access to an EHR patient portal. They must have a primary care provider and conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, depression/anxiety. It's not for those without a PCP in the EHR or who don't speak English/Spanish.

Inclusion Criteria

Able to read/speak English or Spanish language

Have access to and be enrolled in the EHR patient portal and consents to be contacted via these modalities

Currently pregnant or within 2 weeks of delivery

See 6 more

Exclusion Criteria

My primary language is neither English nor Spanish.

No access to online patient EHR portal

No primary care provider listed in the EHR

Treatment Details

Interventions

Behavioral Science-Informed Intervention (Behavioral Intervention)

Trial OverviewThe study tests if setting default appointments, targeted messages, and nudge reminders can increase primary care visits after delivery among patients with hypertension or diabetes. This randomized trial aims to improve long-term health by encouraging early preventative care.

Participant Groups

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Facilitated TransitionExperimental Treatment3 Interventions

Behavioral science informed interventions to assist in the transition from postpartum to primary care providers

Group II: ControlActive Control1 Intervention

Routine postpartum care