INTEGRATING PSYCHOLOGY AND OBSTETRICS FOR MEDICAL-STUDENTS - SHARED LABOR WARD TEACHING

Two studies relating to the inclusion of psycho-social issues in the t raining of obstetricians are reported here. The first reports on the e xtent to which currently practising obstetricians have received traini ng in these aspects. The second explored the value of an innovative te aching approach combining psychological and obstetric training for med ical students in the labour ward. A postal survey with responses from 220 obstetricians and paediatricians revealed that little information on psychological aspects of obstetric practice had been included in th eir undergraduate or postgraduate training or obtained from voluntary continuing education programmes. Experience was the primary source of training in these subjects. The second study explored the impact of jo int psychological and obstetric teaching ward rounds for medical stude nts. Students attending these integrated sessions reported being bette r prepared for the psycho-social aspects of obstetrics and showed a gr eater awareness of cross-cultural differences in needs of women during birth.