Relevance of Otago University postgraduate programmes in women’s health to general practice: a case study
Parimala Kanagasabai
1 5 , Sara Filoche 1 , Alec Ekeroma 1 , Rebecca Grainger 2 , Anthony Dowell 3 , Helen Paterson 4
1 Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Women’s Health, University of Otago Wellington, New Zealand.
2 Department of Medicine, University of Otago Wellington, New Zealand.
3 Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, University of Otago Wellington, New Zealand.
4 Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Otago Dunedin, New Zealand.
5 Corresponding author. Email: parimala.kanagasabai@otago.ac.nz
Journal of Primary Health Care 13(4) 323-333 https://doi.org/10.1071/HC20113
Published: 14 December 2021
Journal Compilation © Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners 2021 This is an open access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: There are important changes in the health care needs of women presenting to general practice in New Zealand, which prompted an evaluation of postgraduate training needs of general practitioners (GPs) who care for women in the community.
AIM: To evaluate the perceived relevance of the curriculum of Otago University postgraduate programmes in women’s health to GPs’ work profile to identify any need for curricular change. This study was also performed to investigate the need for refresher courses or a Master’s degree in obstetrics, gynaecology and women’s health.
METHODS: In total, 426 GPs and GP trainees who had completed the postgraduate Certificate and Diploma programmes in women’s health were invited to complete an online survey. The survey consisted of multiple-choice questions with five-point Likert scale ratings to rate the relevance of papers to general practice, and options for free-text comments.
RESULTS: There were 86 responses (20.2% response rate) and we analysed 73 (17.1%). Curriculum modules related to gynaecological care were rated as more relevant than obstetric and newborn care. GPs suggested more training in contraception and management of infertility, abnormal uterine bleeding and pelvic pain including procedural skills such as insertion of long-acting reversible contraceptives, implants and intrauterine devices. An interest in a refresher course was indicated by 76.6% of GPs.
DISCUSSION: GPs recognised the need for enhanced training in women’s gynaecological care. Revision of the postgraduate women’s health curriculum and development of new refresher courses will enable GPs, trainees and prospective GPs to improve their care for women in the community.
KEYwords: General practitioners; gynaecology; obstetrics; postgraduate education.
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