TRAINING, SKILLS AND APPROACH TO HIGH-RISK OBSTETRICS IN RURAL GP OBSTETRICIANS

One hundred and sixty seven (82%) of the 204 practising South Australi an rural GP obstetricians responded to a questionnaire on training, sk ills and approach to high-risk obstetrics. The mean length of training was 8.5 months; 78% of GP obstetricians held a diploma. There was a m ean of 13 years experience and 22 deliveries per year. However, 26.3% of practitioners had stopped obstetrics in the previous 12 months and cited indemnity insurance and lifestyle factors as the main reason for stopping, The Gps practised a wide range of skills; forceps (96%), Ca esarean section (42%) and had good access to epidural services (83.6%) , blood transfusions (91%) and specialist advice. High-risk obstetrics such as twin pregnancy, fetal growth retardation, insulin-dependent d iabetes and preterm labour, are avoided by most rural GP obstetricians . The mean visual analogue comfort score for providing obstetric care was 7.46 (2.16) and correlated with length of training (p=0.008) and n umber of deliveries per year (p=0.02). Health authorities must continu e to support and encourage country CP obstetricians to provide this es sential service to rural women.