Related Experiment Videos
Consultation in family practice obstetrics
A J Reid1, J C Carroll, J Ruderman
1Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto.
Canadian Family Physician Medecin De Famille Canadien
|April 1, 1995
Summary
Family physicians manage many non-low-risk obstetric patients, often with obstetrician support. However, low-risk patients frequently require consultations, prompting a need to reevaluate mandatory consultation practices in family practice obstetrics.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Family Medicine
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Family physicians play a key role in obstetric care within urban teaching hospitals.
- Understanding the risk profiles of patients managed by family physicians is crucial for optimizing care delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the characteristics of non-low-risk obstetric patients managed by family physicians.
- To determine the reasons for consultations among low-risk women during labor.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective chart review was conducted.
- Data were collected from all deliveries by family physicians in three Toronto teaching hospitals over one year.
Main Results:
- Of 1710 deliveries, 34.8% were classified as non-low risk, primarily due to postdates, pregnancy-induced hypertension, or preterm labor.
- 32.6% of low-risk patients had intrapartum consultations, mainly for failure to progress or fetal distress.
- Over 80% of consultations were linked to labor induction or augmentation.
Conclusions:
- Family physicians can manage a significant proportion of non-low-risk obstetric cases, often in collaboration with obstetricians.
- The high rate of consultations for low-risk patients suggests a need to reassess the necessity of certain mandatory consultations in family practice obstetrics.