Errol R Norwitz1, Mert O Bahtiyar, Baha M Sibai. 1. Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Yale-New Haven Hospital and Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe current practice patterns for 7 controversial topics in Maternal-Fetal Medicine. STUDY DESIGN: An interactive survey of obstetric treatment was performed as part of a postgraduate course at the 2004 Annual Meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Seven controversial topics were addressed, which included tocolytic therapy, progesterone supplementation for the prevention of preterm birth, screening for inherited thrombophilia, cervical cerclage for a shortened cervix, treatment of preterm premature rupture of membranes, magnesium sulfate seizure prophylaxis, and dexamethasone therapy for HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count) syndrome. RESULTS: A total of 298 obstetric care providers attended the postgraduate course. By report, most attendees were maternal-fetal medicine specialists (60.7% of respondents) who were >10 years out from specialty training (56.3% of respondents) and who were practicing in a university-based setting (52.9% of respondents). An average of 233 practitioners (range, 157-298 practitioners) answered each question. An analysis of the responses allowed for the determination of current practice patterns in the 7 controversial areas addressed. CONCLUSION: Contemporary practice patterns for 7 controversial topics in obstetric medicine are described. Such surveys may be useful in defining standards of care in maternal-fetal medicine.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe current practice patterns for 7 controversial topics in Maternal-Fetal Medicine. STUDY DESIGN: An interactive survey of obstetric treatment was performed as part of a postgraduate course at the 2004 Annual Meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Seven controversial topics were addressed, which included tocolytic therapy, progesterone supplementation for the prevention of preterm birth, screening for inherited thrombophilia, cervical cerclage for a shortened cervix, treatment of preterm premature rupture of membranes, magnesium sulfateseizure prophylaxis, and dexamethasone therapy for HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count) syndrome. RESULTS: A total of 298 obstetric care providers attended the postgraduate course. By report, most attendees were maternal-fetal medicine specialists (60.7% of respondents) who were >10 years out from specialty training (56.3% of respondents) and who were practicing in a university-based setting (52.9% of respondents). An average of 233 practitioners (range, 157-298 practitioners) answered each question. An analysis of the responses allowed for the determination of current practice patterns in the 7 controversial areas addressed. CONCLUSION: Contemporary practice patterns for 7 controversial topics in obstetric medicine are described. Such surveys may be useful in defining standards of care in maternal-fetal medicine.