About COPE
As the developer of the Australian Guideline (2017), all of our tools, resources and solutions are underpinned by best practice evidence.
COPE is governed by a Board of Directors and the company membership comprises the peak professional bodies representing primary and maternity care and consumer bodies in perinatal mental health care in Australia.
Our current mission is to enable mandatory national perinatal mental health screening and referrals based on the Australian Guideline (2017), to ensure the best mental and emotional health and wellbeing of Australian mothers and their families.
More information about COPE’s history, philosophy, purpose, objectives, governance and programs is available on the COPE website.
About the iCOPE Platform
iCOPE is an interactive, digital screening platform that facilitates efficient and effective screening in the perinatal period (pregnancy and year following birth).
iCOPE Platform is available in 11 languages including:
- English
- Arabic
- Cantonese
- Chin Hakka
- Dari
- Dinka
- Mandarin
- Persian/Farsi
- Tamil
- Turkish
- Vietnamese
How it works
The web-based platform enables patient screening on a tablet (e.g. iPad) to be conducted in the waiting room or during a consultation.
On completion of a screen, scores are calculated, interpreted and two types of reports are instantly generated.
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Clinical reports:
Accessed via an individual login and password, health professionals can obtain reports detailing clinical scores, outcomes and guidance in line with best practice. Clinical reports meet all MBS auditing requirements.
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Patient/Client reports:
Available via email or SMS to provide clients with an understanding of their responses and links to further information.
No data is stored on the device. All data is collected in real time and stored in line with Australian Privacy Legislation.
COPE has partnered with Optus and Diginostics to provide a solution for perinatal mental health screening that aligns with Commonwealth, State and Territory privacy legislation. Further details about the secure network solution is available here (link to a page with OPTUS cloud solution and ISO numbers here).
Perinatal mental health screening
As recommended in the Australian Guideline (2017), the iCOPE platform currently contains questions pertaining to:
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Psychosocial risk factors
Using the Antenatal/Postnatal Risk Questionnaire (ANRQ/PNRQ).
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Symptoms of depression and anxiety
Using the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS).
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Assessment of drug and alcohol use and family violence
As required for MBS item numbers and across health policies.
Note: Additional screening tools can be customised for specific clients (e.g. the parenting scales, drug and alcohol screening tools, fertility screening tools).