A survey of instruments used for the psychological assessment of patients admitted to mother and baby inpatient facilities

This survey examined which instruments were routinely used for the psychological assessment of patients admitted to Mother and Baby inpatient facilities in the United Kingdom (UK). Thirty eight percent replied and the findings highlight that only a few questionnaires were routinely utilised. The facilities surveyed varied in the measures used, which were mostly measures of depression, psychosis and mother-infant bonding. Staff identified a range of advantages and disadvantages in relation to their use. © 2007 Springer-Verlag.