The Edinburgh Scale vs. PHQ: What’s Best for Postpartum Care

Choosing the right screening tool for postpartum depression is more than just a clinical decision — it’s a key step that impacts what happens next for new mothers. In this episode of The Science Chick Report, Dr. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett walks through two of the most commonly used tools for identifying postpartum depression: the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ).

Dr. Kendall-Tackett explains why these tools are more than just academic: their proper use directly affects the care that mothers receive. While screening scales help identify symptoms, what happens after a positive screen can determine whether a mother receives the support she needs or falls through the cracks. She also emphasizes the importance of understanding the limitations and benefits of these tools before use, especially in community-based settings.

This episode is a call for healthcare providers to not only screen but also ensure that proper follow-up systems are in place. It’s about making sure mothers don’t face the frustration of an unmet expectation when they are vulnerable and in need of help.

In This Episode:

• [00:00:00] Introduction: The importance of choosing the right screening tools

• [00:01:12] Why screening is a critical first step in postpartum care

• [00:03:11] The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale: Pros and cons

• [00:05:37] Language and cultural barriers in using the Edinburgh scale

• [00:07:00] The problem with reverse scoring and language confusion

• [00:08:06] Using the Edinburgh three-item version for quick assessments

• [00:10:05] PHQ-9: A more straightforward, reliable alternative

• [00:12:07] How to use screening results: what happens next?

• [00:13:15] Understanding anxiety and depression in postpartum women

• [00:15:00] The challenge of limited resources in healthcare

• [00:17:01] Community-based support and non-medical interventions

• [00:19:32] The importance of planning follow-up after screening

Notable Quotes

• [01:34] “It’s not enough to just screen — you have to have a plan for what happens next.” — Dr. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett

• [03:37] “The Edinburgh scale has been around for decades, but it still has issues, especially with language and scoring.” — Dr. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett

• [05:21] “A screening scale is not the same as a diagnostic tool. It’s the first step, not the final answer.” — Dr. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett

• [10:05] “The Edinburgh three-item version might be the best option for quick, on-the-go screening.” — Dr. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett

• [13:15] “Even with limited resources, you can connect mothers to help — it’s all about knowing what services are available.” — Dr. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett

Resource and Links

The Science Chick Report

• The Science Chick Report

Dr. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett

• Website

• LinkedIn

• X

• Facebook

• ResearchGate (upcoming paper)

Mentioned

• Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale – Full vs. Three-Item Versions

• Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)

• US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations

• Moyer et al. (2023) – Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (US Version)

• Cheryl Beck – Postpartum Depression Screening Scale

• City Birth Trauma Scale

• Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index