Final-year medical students' perceptions of maternity care in general practice

To investigate the perceptions of final year medical students' (known as trainee interns or TIs) at the University of Otago about maternity care in general practice, their possible future roles in general practice maternity care, and factors influencing this.

An anonymous questionnaire using the online programme SurveyMonkey was emailed to the 227 Otago University TIs. Results were analysed using SurveyMonkey statistical analysis.

The response rate was 50.7%. About 90% of the TIs thought GPs should provide antenatal and postnatal care, 80.7% supported shared care and 55.7% thought GPs should provide full maternity care if interested and trained to do so. Almost 80% thought women should have access to full maternity care in general practice. If practicing as a GP 90% or more of respondents would consider providing prenatal, early pregnancy, antenatal, postnatal care, or shared care and 64.0% full maternity care. Of the 29 TIs (25.2%) who had seen a GP practicing full maternity care 82.8% would consider offering this level of care if practicing as a GP. And 68.3% of the 65 TIs interested in a rural general practice career would consider providing full maternity care. Issues of training, professional support, funding and continuity of care for patients were important factors in contemplating providing full maternity care.

TIs are interested in providing a wide range of maternity services if practicing as a GP. Many professional and lifestyle issues could influence our future doctors when deciding whether to practice maternity care in general practice.