Community-based learning in obstetrics for undergraduate medical students

Medical students on their obstetrics and gynaecology attachment were randomly assigned to attend hospital (n = 24) or general practice (n = 18) obstetric clinics once weekly for 4 weeks. The students completed self-assessment questionnaires at the beginning and end of the attachment. There was a significant improvement in the level of knowledge and skills required for antenatal care, care in labour and postnatal care by the end of the attachment, with no difference between hospital or general practice groups. There was a significant increase in the level of interest in the future practice of obstetrics only in the general practice group. However, this difference could be explained by the greater number of students in the general practice group who were by chance in the 'no or don't know' category at the start of their attachment. We conclude that general practice based clinical teaching of obstetrics can be a suitable alternative to hospital-based clinical teaching for undergraduate medical students.