Dyadic care, which provides simultaneous support for mothers and infants, may improve postpartum outcomes, including morbidity and mortality. This scoping review synthesizes global evidence on dyadic care models, summarizing measured outcomes and identifying opportunities for research and practice.
A comprehensive search identified 117 studies from 28 countries, describing ten dyadic care models, including shared medical visits, group dyadic care, mother-baby psychiatric units, couplet care, home visits by medical personnel or community health workers, mobile interventions, and nutritional supplementation during pregnancy. Home visits by trained health professionals were the most commonly studied.
Common outcomes assessed included maternal mental health, infant rehospitalization, breastfeeding rates, and implementation measures such as feasibility and acceptability. Efficacy varied, with interventions involving trained professionals over longer periods showing the most consistent positive effects.
Dyadic care interventions offer potential to streamline services, strengthen family-provider relationships, and improve health outcomes across the life course.