Improving postpartum care for people with chronic conditions
Official title: Bridges to Primary Care: Transforming Postpartum Primary Care Coordination for People with Chronic Conditions
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11023517 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to make it easier for new parents with ongoing health issues to get the follow-up care they need after having a baby, by helping them schedule appointments and providing supportive messages to keep them engaged in their health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $399,111 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HS030245-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11023517 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are postpartum individuals with chronic medical conditions or those who experienced pregnancy-related complications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have chronic conditions or who are not postpartum may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance the transition from obstetric to primary care for individuals with chronic conditions after childbirth. It addresses the significant gap in postpartum care by implementing a behavioral economics-informed intervention that facilitates scheduling primary care visits and provides tailored support messages. By integrating this intervention into routine postpartum care, the project seeks to improve patient engagement and the overall quality of care received during this critical period. The goal is to ensure that new parents receive the necessary follow-up care to manage their chronic conditions effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes for postpartum individuals with chronic conditions by ensuring they receive timely and appropriate primary care.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that improved care coordination can significantly enhance patient engagement and health outcomes, suggesting that this approach has the potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Clapp, Mark Allen — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Clapp, Mark Allen
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Connecting women with pregnancy high blood pressure to heart-health care after birth
This project looks at how health care systems help or block women who had high blood pressure during pregnancy from getting heart-health care after delivery.
-
Understanding how to improve postpartum care for women with pregnancy-related high blood pressure
This study looks at the difficulties women encounter when moving from pregnancy care to regular doctor visits after having high blood pressure during pregnancy, and it aims to find better ways for doctors to help these women manage their heart health afterward.
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Helping postpartum women connect to primary care
This study is looking to help new moms who had pregnancy complications, like gestational diabetes or high blood pressure, get the follow-up care they need by improving communication between their doctors and making it easier for them to access health services, especially for those in underserved communities.
-
HEARTS hypertension and diabetes care in Guatemala
This grant tests how well the HEARTS primary care model works in Guatemala to improve blood pressure and blood sugar control for patients.
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Wearable tech to track blood loss during childbirth
A wearable device monitors cardiovascular signals to detect postpartum hemorrhage early so clinicians can act quickly to protect mothers.
-
HIV treatment and postpartum weight help after birth in South Africa
A small, patient-friendly study is testing a lay health worker–led program to support postpartum women living with HIV in staying on ART and managing weight.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.