Personal maternal care reflections of general practice physicians

As the number of female GPs increases, the need to understand delivery of maternity care to this group becomes increasingly important. Previous literature suggests doctors face additional barriers in utilizing health care compared to other patients, but little is known about GPs' maternal health care experiences and whether their occupation facilitates or compromises care.

To explore female GPs' personal experiences of maternal health care and how occupation affects care received.

Female GPs with children aged 6 months to 5 years were recruited from South Birmingham Primary Care Trust with subsequent snowballing. Data were obtained using semi-structured interviews and constant comparison analysis was applied to develop themes and categories.

Fourteen GPs participated and no new themes emerged after interview 10 suggesting data saturation was achieved. Overall, GPs felt they received better care due to their occupation and where established relationships between the GP and the health care professional existed, communication and care satisfaction was enhanced. However, assumptions about knowledge led to reduced information provision and some problems in care provision, especially during labour and early motherhood when women were most vulnerable and unable to rely on work skills to address information deficits.

This research supports the growing body of evidence that there are unique problems facing doctor-patients and clinicians treating them. However, contrary to expectations derived from anecdotal evidence, GPs indicated that care was enhanced due to their occupation. This study raises awareness of areas for consideration when female GPs approach pregnancy and health care professionals deliver maternal health care.