Clinician care priorities and practices in the fourth trimester: perspective from a California survey

• DOI: 10.1186/s12884-024-06705-7
• Publication Date: 2024-07-25T15:23:11Z
• Authors: Sylvia Guendelman; Serena Xinzi Wang; Maureen Lahiff; Lawrence Lurvey; Hayley E. Miller
• Keywords: Adult; Postnatal Care; Male; Attitude of Health Personnel; 610; Practice Patterns; Care practices; Midwifery; California; Midwives; 618; Postpartum; Pregnancy; Physicians; Surveys and Questionnaires; Humans; Practice Patterns, Physicians'; Health Priorities; Research; Gynecology and obstetrics; Middle Aged; Clinical care guidelines; Obstetrics; RG1-991; Female; Clinician care priorities; OB/GYNS

Abstract Background Professional societies such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) promote idea that postpartum care is an ongoing process where there adequate opportunity to provide services support. Nonetheless, in practice, guidelines ask clinicians perform more clinical responsibilities than they might be able do with limited time resources. Methods We conducted online survey among practicing obstetric (obstetrician/gynecologists (OB/GYNs), midwives, family medicine doctors) California about their priorities practices for first visit explored how prioritize multiple within existing Between September 2023 February 2024, 174 out 229 eligible participants completed survey, a 76% response rate. From list components, we used descriptive statistics identify those were highly prioritized by most considered priority very few examined alignment between components recommended practices. Results Clinicians invested rated important, indicating always check these or assess them when perceive patient need. Depression anxiety , breast health/breast feeding issues vaginal birth complications planning counseling ranked all clinicians. In contrast, often did not infrequently listing, consisting mainly social drivers health screening intimate partner violence working conditions food/housing insecurity . both instances, found little discordance However, OB/GYNs midwives differed some highly. Conclusions While growing understanding important professional society recommendations are maternal-infant health, face barriers completing recommendations, especially related health. what highly, likely perform. Now Medi-Cal (Medicaid) insurance available up 12 months postpartum, need understand gaps remain.