Education Modules

Education Modules

For Health Care Professionals: 877-296-9049

The Periscope Project offers online modules on common topics related to perinatal psychiatric disorders. 

Education Topics

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This 30-minute video explores the use of antidepressants during pregnancy including most commonly prescribed antidepressants in reproductive-aged women and clinical pearls.

After completion of the this module, participants will be able to:

  1. Describe the FDA Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule
  2. List the risks to the fetus/infant of antidepressants in pregnancy
  3. Identify items to document when treating a perinatal patient with psychotropic medications

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In this 30-minute video, anxiolytics and hypnotics during the perinatal period will be discussed. A brief overview of anxiety disorders including screening for anxiety and intrusive thoughts is included. In addition, clinical pearls for insomnia in the perinatal period and sleep hygiene principles are discussed.  

After completion of this module, participants will be able to:

  1. Describe the FDA Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule
  2. List the risks to the fetus/infant of anxiolytics and hypnotics in pregnancy
  3. Discuss clinical pearls of utilization of anxiolytics and hypnotics in the perinatal period

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This 20-minute video discusses novel treatments for postpartum depression including brexanolone and zuranolone. 

After completion of the this module, participants will be able to:

  1.  Describe mechanism of action of brexanolone and zuranolone.

  2.  List considerations and side effects of use of brexanolone and zuranolone. 

  3.  Describe clinical situations when use of brexanolone and zuranolone may be useful in the treatment of postpartum depression. 

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This 30-minute video discusses general perinatal psychiatric disorders.

After completion of this module, participants will be able to:

  1. Differentiate between baby blues, perinatal depression and bipolar disorder
  2. Differentiate between the intrusive thoughts of an anxiety disorder versus a psychotic disorder
  3. List validated tools for screening of perinatal depressive and anxiety symptoms

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During this 20-minute video, psychotropic medication use in breast-feeding is discussed included general guiding principles, potential risks of psychopharmacology postpartum, and clinical pearls.  

After completion of this module, participants will be able to:

  1. Describe the FDA Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule
  2. List the risks to the infant of psychotropic medication use in breast-feeding
  3. Discuss clinical pearls of utilization of psychotropic medications during lactation

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During this 30-minute video, screening of mental health disorders in perinatal patients is discussed. This discussion includes stand of care recommendations, red flags to watch for, how to talk to patients about their scores and symptoms, as well as two case examples.

After completion of this module, participants will be able to:

  1. List the general requirements for depression screening of perinatal persons
  2. List two examples of validated depression screening tools for a pregnant patient
  3. Differentiate between anxiety-driven versus psychotic thoughts of harm to an infant/child
  4. Identify factors associated with imminent risk of self-harm

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This 30-minute video discusses management of opioid use disorders in the pregnant and postpartum patients.

After completion of this module, participants will be able to:

  1. Identify risks of opioid use in pregnancy to fetus and neonate
  2. Describe potential treatment options for perinatal opioid dependence
  3. Understand potential ethical and legal issues when treating a pregnant patient with a substance use disorder

Available Monday – Friday from 8am – 4pm CST, excluding holidays.
Provider to provider perinatal psychiatric tele-consultations within 30 minutes.
E-mails returned within one business day.

The Periscope Project is a program of the Medical College of Wisconsin – Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine.