A survey of health professionals' views on possible changes in the provision and organisation of antenatal care

Abstract

Objective: to ascertain the views of midwives, obstetricians and general practitioners (GPs) on possible changes in the provision of antenatal care, and to describe any differences in attitude between the three professional groups. Design: survey using postal questionnaire. Setting: three hospitals in south-east London. Participants: the questionnaire was sent to 251 midwives, 50 obstetricians, and 438 GPs. The overall response rate was 70%. Measurements: a questionnaire asking whether the health professionals would like to see, were undecided, or would not like to see, 12 possible changes in the provision of antenatal care. Findings: the changes that most health professionals wanted to see were individualised visit schedules and an increase in continuity of care-giver. There were significant differences between the three professional groups for 11 of the 12 possible changes, with midwives being the group most keen, and GPs tending to be the least keen, to see change. Key conclusions: is is important to recognise and address the different views of midwives, obstetricians and general practitioners at this time when major changes in the organisation of antenatal care are being planned or implemented. Implications for practice: differences in attitudes between health professionals need to be addressed when planning changes in the provision of antenatal care.