Medical-Financial Partnership Support for Mental Health
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial tests a new approach to help families with financial stress, aiming to improve mental health and overall well-being. It targets expectant parents and their children, starting either during the mother's pregnancy or right after the baby is born. Participants receive special support that combines medical care with financial advice (Medical-Financial Partnership Intervention) to determine if this improves health outcomes for both parents and children. The trial seeks expectant parents who plan for their child to receive care at one of the study's clinics and who speak either English or Spanish. As a Phase 2 trial, this research measures how well the treatment works in an initial, smaller group of people.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your healthcare provider.
Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?
Research has shown that the Medical-Financial Partnership Intervention is under study to aid mental health, particularly for parents experiencing financial stress. Although detailed safety data from past studies is limited, the trial's Phase 2 status indicates that earlier tests deemed it safe enough for broader participation. This phase typically evaluates participants' responses to the program and monitors for any side effects.
As a support program rather than a drug, the intervention is less likely to cause physical side effects typical of medications. It focuses on helping families manage financial stress, potentially improving mental health without direct physical risks. The program supports parents and families both before and after birth, and this is generally considered safe.
Prospective participants should consider how the support might enhance overall well-being. Always discuss any safety concerns with the trial team.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial's treatments?
Researchers are excited about the Medical-Financial Partnership intervention because it uniquely integrates financial support with medical care to improve mental health outcomes. Unlike traditional treatments that focus solely on medical or psychological interventions, this approach addresses financial stressors that can impact mental well-being. By starting the intervention during prenatal care and continuing into the postnatal period, it aims to provide comprehensive support that may lead to better mental health outcomes for parents and their children. This holistic approach is what sets it apart from standard care options that typically do not include financial support as a component of treatment.
What evidence suggests that this trial's Medical-Financial Partnership interventions could be effective for improving mental health outcomes?
Research has shown that financial problems can harm mental health, affect pregnancy, and impact children's growth and development. This trial will evaluate the Medical-Financial Partnership intervention, which combines medical and financial assistance to address these issues. Participants may join experimental groups receiving the intervention either from the prenatal period continuing postnatally or starting in the postnatal period. These programs connect families with financial support to reduce stress and improve well-being. Early results suggest that such interventions can enhance parents' mental health and children's development. By directly addressing financial stress, these programs may help create healthier family environments.13678
Who Is on the Research Team?
Adam Schickedanz, MD PhD
Principal Investigator
University of California, Los Angeles
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for parents experiencing financial stress and poverty, which may affect their mental health, perinatal outcomes, and child development. Participants will be recruited during pregnancy or the newborn period.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Intervention
Participants receive the Medical-Financial Partnership intervention either starting in prenatal care or in the postnatal period
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for outcomes related to public benefits enrollment, parent health-related quality of life, and child developmental risk
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Medical-Financial Partnership Intervention
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of California, Los Angeles
Lead Sponsor
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Collaborator