Future practice of graduates of the New Zealand Diploma of Obstetrics and Gynaecology or Certificate in Women's Health.
OBJECTIVE
To determine: why Diploma of Obstetrics (DipObs), Diploma of Obstetrics and Medical Gynaecology (DipOMG), or Certificate in Women's Health graduates enrolled; course usefulness; and subsequent practice.


METHODS
588 University of Otago DipObs, DipOMG, and Certificate in Women's Health graduates (1992-2006) plus Auckland University graduates (1996-2006) were identified. All were doctors. Questionnaires were sent to the 477 with New Zealand medical registration and responses analysed.


RESULTS
334 of the 477 graduates returned completed questionnaires--70% response rate. 73% had worked as GPs, 10% at family planning clinics, 6% at sexual health clinics; and 13% specialised in OandG. 80% enrolled to further knowledge in women's health, 20% in children's health, and 43% to practise GP obstetrics. Most respondents who enrolled in the 1990s intended to practise GP obstetrics but by 2000 most did not. Of 137 New Zealand-based GP respondents who enrolled to practise GP obstetrics, only 5 (3.6%) currently practise intrapartum obstetric care. Twenty-three GPs still practise shared maternity care. Of 220 primary care practitioners, 90% provide early antenatal care. 93% described the course as useful-extremely useful.


CONCLUSIONS
The DipObs, Dip OMG and Certificate in Women's Health have continued to provide useful postgraduate training in women's health during a changing time in New Zealand pregnancy care. While many graduates of the 1990s enrolled to practise GP obstetrics, most recent graduates did not, and few GPs still practise intrapartum obstetrics.
Miller
Dawn
D
Department of Women's and Children's Health, Dunedin School of Medicine, PO Box 913, Dunedin, New Zealand. dawn.miller@otago.ac.nz
Roberts
Helen
H
Wilson
Don
D
D000328:Adult; D002321:Career Choice; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education* / Q000639:trends*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health; D000078329:Workforce