From Theory to Clinical Practice: Assessing the Knowledge of Medical Staff Working in Gynecology and Obstetrics Departments and Medical Students Regarding the Diagnosis and Treatment of Postpartum Depression

Introduction The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of medical staff and final-year medical students regarding current guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of postpartum depression. Methods The study involved two groups of participants, totaling 460 individuals: active healthcare professionals working with pregnant and postpartum women and their families, and 5th- and 6th-year medical students. Participants were selected using a snowball sampling method. An author-designed questionnaire, based on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), consisting of 17 items, was used to assess participants' knowledge. One point was awarded for each correct response, and no points were given for incorrect responses. The maximum possible score was 17. Results The mean score on the knowledge test was 11 out of 17 points. Among all respondents, 165 (36%) demonstrated an average level of knowledge about postpartum depression, while 294 (63.7%) exhibited a high level of knowledge. Medical students who had completed courses in gynecology, obstetrics, and psychiatry achieved the highest scores (p < 0.01). Medical professionals with experience in managing postpartum depression rated the support they provided during medical care as 4.8 on a 1-10 scale. Conclusion Approximately half of the respondents were familiar with the definition of postpartum depression and demonstrated a competent understanding of its diagnostic criteria. Professional factors such as work experience and formal education did not appear to significantly differentiate the level of knowledge about postpartum depression. The highest knowledge scores were observed among medical students who had completed coursework in gynecology, obstetrics, and psychiatry, rather than among practicing medical professionals.