Margaret Helton1, Bron Skinner, Clark Denniston. 1. Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-7595, USA. margaret_helton@med.unc.edu
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There has been a significant reduction in the number of family physicians who provide pregnancy care. This study examines the effects of an educational intervention at a university-based family practice residency. The intervention was designed to increase the number of graduates who include prenatal care or deliveries in their practices. METHODS: The curriculum in pregnancy care was expanded to include a teaching service, better role modeling by family medicine faculty, more deliveries, stronger didactics, breast-feeding and child health services, and greater collaboration with other health care settings and professionals. RESULTS: The intervention increased the average percentage of residents who included prenatal care or deliveries in their practices after graduation from 27.5% to 52%. CONCLUSIONS: This educational intervention increased the number of family practice residency graduates who plan to include prenatal care or deliveries in their practices.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There has been a significant reduction in the number of family physicians who provide pregnancy care. This study examines the effects of an educational intervention at a university-based family practice residency. The intervention was designed to increase the number of graduates who include prenatal care or deliveries in their practices. METHODS: The curriculum in pregnancy care was expanded to include a teaching service, better role modeling by family medicine faculty, more deliveries, stronger didactics, breast-feeding and child health services, and greater collaboration with other health care settings and professionals. RESULTS: The intervention increased the average percentage of residents who included prenatal care or deliveries in their practices after graduation from 27.5% to 52%. CONCLUSIONS: This educational intervention increased the number of family practice residency graduates who plan to include prenatal care or deliveries in their practices.