Peripartum pelvic floor disorder clinics inform obstetric provider practices

The objective of this study is to evaluate obstetric providers' knowledge and practice patterns since the establishment of a peripartum pelvic floor disorder clinic.

This is a prospective, cross-sectional survey study of obstetric providers at an academic tertiary care health system. A 22-question survey was designed to collect provider demographic data, indications for and barriers to referrals, provider satisfaction, and impact of the clinic's existence on peripartum pelvic floor dysfunction diagnosis and management. Eligibility criteria included obstetrics and gynecology trainees, attending physicians, certified nurse midwives, and advanced practice providers.

There were 86 survey responses yielding a response rate of 72.1%. The majority of respondents were staff obstetricians (57.0%) or trainees (26.7%). Most commonly reported referral indications were third- and fourth-degree lacerations (94.9%), complex lacerations (70.5%), wound breakdown (57.7%), and urinary retention (53.8%). Regarding satisfaction with the peripartum pelvic floor disorder clinic, of referring providers, 77 (98.7%) agreed or strongly agreed that evaluations were useful for patients and 78 (100%) agreed or strongly agreed that evaluations were useful for themselves. Seventy-six (97.4%) respondents reported that they were very satisfied with the peripartum pelvic floor disorder clinic overall. The majority of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the clinic increased their awareness of both obstetric anal sphincter injuries and their impact on maternal health (84.6%).

The introduction of a peripartum pelvic floor disorder clinic results in high obstetric provider satisfaction and positively impacts patient care through increased provider knowledge and awareness on the management of obstetric anal sphincter injuries.