Digital screening for postnatal depression: A qualitative study and framework analysis exploring the views of healthcare professionals

Around 17 % of mothers experience postnatal depression (PND) in the year after childbirth, with suicide the leading cause of direct maternal death between 6 weeks and 12 months postpartum. As approximately half of PND cases go undetected, digital screening tools have been developed to improve identification. However, implementing innovations into routine care is challenging, with contextual factors and staff views influencing uptake. This study explored healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) views on digital screening for PND, including feasibility, acceptability, and perceived barriers and facilitators to implementation. HCPs (n = 30) involved in the care of pregnant/postpartum women and birthing people within the UK's National Health Service took part in semi-structured qualitative interviews. Data were analysed using Framework Analysis, with a combined inductive and deductive approach. Initial inductive themes were mapped, deductively, onto the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to aid interpretation and explanation of findings. Interview content aligned with all five CFIR domains, though most data mapped to the innovation characteristics (e.g., innovation evidence, relative advantage, complexity) and inner setting (e.g., IT infrastructure, culture, compatibility) domains. These reflected views on the digital screening system and the healthcare organization, respectively. Less content mapped to individual characteristics , outer setting , and implementation process domains. Facilitators were primarily linked to the innovation itself, while barriers typically related to organisational factors. HCPs viewed digital screening as acceptable and aligned with broader digitalisation goals. While they recognised its potential benefits, concerns about feasibility and integration into routine care remained. Stakeholder consultation was seen as essential for successful implementation. • Interview data aligned with CFIR innovation characteristics and inner setting domains. • Facilitators were often linked to the innovation (e.g., advantages over usual care). • Barriers were typically related to organisational factors (e.g., workflow compatibility). • Stakeholder input was seen as vital for successful integration into routine care.