Managing miscarriage: the management of the emotional sequelae of miscarriage in training practices in the West of Scotland.
Miscarriage is a very common event which is rarely a medical emergency, and which, from a biomedical perspective, may justifiably be viewed as a 'normal' complication of early pregnancy. From the mother's point of view however, the loss of a wanted pregnancy may be viewed quite differently. A number of studies have identified significant levels of dissatisfaction with the medical care which women have received at the time of a miscarriage. This paper describes a survey of the management of miscarriage by general practitioner trainees and trainers in the West of Scotland and on the basis of responses to a series of MEQ-type questions, indicates GPs views on the importance of counselling, sympathetic listening and good information in this area. The translation of these attitudes and beliefs into practice is, of course, a different issue, and one which may be affected by the task-oriented approach of the new contract.
Roberts
H
H
Social Paediatric and Obstetric Research Unit, University of Glasgow, UK.
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D004644:Emotions; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011247:Pregnancy; D012606:Scotland; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires