STAC-MyHeart research team publish new studies in Pregnancy and JAMA Network Open

The Staying Healthy After Childbirth-My Hypertension Education and Reaching Target (STAC-MyHeart) research team published two articles that look at the same data set from qualitative and quantitative perspectives. 

Buchholz and colleagues publish an article in Pregnancy

Kristine Buchholz, PhD, MPH, clinical research manager in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn, is the first author on a new article published in Pregnancy. Co-authors include Elizabeth Albert, MA; Megan Knutson Sinaise, MS; Srishti Gupta, BS; Melissa Neal, PhD, MPH; Scott Hetzel, MS; and Kara K. Hoppe, DO, PhD, professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine.

In “Bridging care gaps: A qualitative study of postpartum health coaching for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy,” Buchholz and co-authors examined postpartum experiences of people with hypertensive disorders during pregnancy and their perception of a year-long health coaching intervention. Interviews with 32 participants found that health coaching helped address gaps in standard postpartum care by providing education, emotional support, motivation, lifestyle changes, and tools for self-management and self-advocacy. Participants also identified gaps in mental health support and continuity of care. Control participants highlighted the value of structured support. 

“These findings highlight the need for policies that expand access to comprehensive postpartum programs,including coverage for structured coaching services. Estab-lishing reimbursement frameworks could promote equitable, sustained support for high-risk populations. Standardization of coaching models and integration into maternal health policies are critical for scaling interventions and reducing disparities.”

Read the whole article in Pregnancy!

Knutson Sinaise and colleagues publish article in JAMA Network Open

Megan Knutson Sinaise, MS, research program coordinator in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn, is the first author on a new study published in JAMA Network Open. Co-authors include Kristine Buchholz, PhD, MPH; Scott Hetzel, MS; Melissa Neal, PhD, MPH; Sonja Ryser, BS; Elizabeth Albert, MA; Kristin Hildebrandt, MSN, RN; Heather Johnson, MD, MS; and Kara Hoppe, DO, PhD. 

In “Care Navigation, Self-Measured Blood Pressure, and Health Coaching for Postpartum Care,” Knutson Sinaise and co-authors evaluated health coaching with self-measured blood pressure monitoring during the first year after delivery for patients who experienced hypertension during pregnancy. Amongst the 140 postpartum randomized clinical trial 140 participants, those receiving the intervention were more likely to attend a primary care visit within the first postpartum year and achieve blood pressure control than participants who received standard care.

“The postpartum period provides an opportunity to teach health behaviors that support long-term cardiovascular health and reduce CVD risk. In this randomized clinical trial, a multicomponent intervention combining health coaching and SMBP monitoring significantly increased health care engagement and led to meaningful reductions in SBP and DBP as well as improved BP control by 12 months postpartum.”

Read the whole article in JAMA Network Open!

**by Ob-Gyn Communications Intern Eiman Mir