A SURVEY OF HEALTH-PROFESSIONALS VIEWS ON POSSIBLE CHANGES IN THE PROVISION AND ORGANIZATION OF ANTENATAL CARE

Objective: to ascertain the views of midwives, obstetricians and gener al practitioners (GPs) on possible changes in the provision of antenat al care, and to describe any differences in attitude between the three professional groups. Design: survey using postal questionnaire. Setti ng: three hospitals in south-east London. Participants: the questionna ire was sent to 251 midwives, 50 obstetricians, and 438 GPs. The overa ll 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 car e. Findings: the changes that most health professionals wanted to see were individualised visit schedules and an increase in continuity of c are-giver. There were significant differences between the three profes sional groups for 11 of the 12 possible changes, with midwives being t he group most keen, and GPs tending to be the least keen, to see chang e. Key conclusions: is is important to recognise and address the diffe rent views of midwives, obstetricians and general practitioners at thi s time when major changes in the organisation of antenatal care are be ing planned or implemented. Implications for practice: differences in attitudes between health professionals need to be addressed when plann ing changes in the provision of antenatal care.