Applying the Public Health Nursing Intervention Wheel to a Paternal Perinatal Mental Health Case Study

Background: Adverse paternal perinatal mental health is recognized as a serious public health concern due to the negative implications for fathers, their families, and wider society. However, in the Irish healthcare system there is no evidence that the assessment and management of paternal perinatal mental health is part of current public health nursing practice. Case presentation: The authors designed a hypothetical case study and used it with the public health nursing intervention wheel to analyze and illustrate how public health nursing practice is more likely to focus on maternal and infant health outcomes. Findings: The case illustrated that there are opportunities to integrate applicable interventions such as assessment, screening, consultation, counseling, health teaching, referral, and follow-up at paternal and family level, as well as outreach, advocacy, and social marketing at community level. Evidence from the research-based literature is used to discuss how these interventions can result in beneficial outcomes for fathers, families and population health. Conclusion: Furthermore, it illustrates how case studies can enhance teaching in relation to public health nursing education.