1. Australian general practice registrars and their experience with postpartum consultations: A cross-sectional analysis of prevalence and associations
- Author
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Irena Patsan, Sophia Hill, Mieke L van Driel, Simon Morgan, Parker Magin, Andrew Davey, Jean Ball, Elizabeth G. Holliday, Neil Spike, Amanda Tapley, and Kristen FitzGerald
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,Postnatal Care ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Cross-sectional study ,education ,General Practice ,Cohort Studies ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Obstetrics and gynaecology ,General Practitioners ,medicine ,Prevalence ,Humans ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Medical diagnosis ,Referral and Consultation ,Response rate (survey) ,030219 obstetrics & reproductive medicine ,business.industry ,Postpartum Period ,Australia ,Obstetrics and Gynecology ,General Medicine ,Cross-Sectional Studies ,Logistic Models ,Family medicine ,Vocational education ,General practice ,Female ,business ,Postpartum period ,Cohort study - Abstract
Background In Australia, general practitioners (GPs) are recognised as an essential source of postpartum care. However, there remains a paucity of research pertaining to this, and in particular, to that of GP trainees (in Australia, termed 'registrars'). Previous post-graduate experience in obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G) is not a prerequisite for GP training, and thus, it is imperative that vocational training provides adequate exposure to postpartum consultations. Aim To investigate the prevalence and associations of Australian GP registrars' (trainees') experience in postpartum care. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study employing data from the Registrar Clinical Encounters in Training (ReCEnT) project. ReCEnT is an ongoing cohort study where GP registrars record 60 consecutive consultations mid-way through each training term. The outcome variable was postpartum problem/diagnosis (compared to all other problems/diagnoses). The independent variables included registrar, practice, patient, consultation, clinical and educational factors. Analyses employed univariate and multivariable regression. Results Analysis included 2234 registrars (response rate 96.1%), 289 594 consultations, and 453 786 problems/diagnoses. Postpartum care (897) comprised 0.2% (95% CI: 0.19-0.21) of all problems/diagnoses in 0.3% (95% CI: 0.27-0.31) of all consultations. Significant multivariable associations included registrar's gender (female) and obtainment of post-graduate O&G qualifications. Postpartum consultations were longer and resulted in more learning goals being generated. Discussion An overall low prevalence was established. Both male registrars, and those without pre-existing O&G qualifications, may have particularly limited experience. These findings should inform educational policy and practice regarding postpartum care experience in general practice training.
- Published
- 2019