What is “But I Don’t Do Maternity Care!”?
But I Don’t Do Maternity Care is an initiative to build maternity care knowledge amongst Vancouver primary care providers, this course provides current info, access to resources, and an opportunity to network.
“I think the main reason for taking this course is to make your life simpler,” says Dr. Karen Buhler, one of the one of the lead doctors on the working group behind the ‘Essentials for Family Physicians.’ This course was designed by UBC Continuity Professional Development and the Vancouver Division of Family Practice for family physicians and other primary care providers who don’t do deliveries but see pregnant patients up to 20 weeks, and /or who provide postpartum and newborn care.
“We know that maternity care has become much more complicated in the last 10 years, with adjustments in testing and prenatal care, and with more genetic screening options for patients,” says Buhler. “Through both self-guided and real-time group components, the course provides tools and information that will enable participants to better support patients through the pregnancy journey, including preconception, early prenatal, postpartum and newborn care.”
Speaking about the course, Director of Membership Engagement of the Vancouver Division, Justin Ho, said “The But I Don’t Do Maternity Care series has been a foundational Continuing Medical Education (CME) offering for our member physicians since the beginning of our organization and we’re proud to be providing the resources and engaging our members to support this new iteration of the program.”
Staying Current in a Rapidly Changing Field
“As a provider, I noticed that people were ordering too many tests, not enough tests, or the wrong tests at the wrong time,” explains Dr. Buhler. “It just made me feel sad that patients are not getting the best care that they could.”
Dr. Heather McClenaghan from St. Paul’s Maternity Care Clinic, one of the FP workshop discussion facilitators, has been doing maternity care since she finished her residency. Despite this, even she finds it important to stay proactive with regards to new practices and information.
“I’m always learning new ways of doing things and new options for patients who are pregnant,” she says. “The information presented in this course will help participants decrease their stress every time they see a positive pregnancy test.”
Dr. Elizabeth Kao, a family physician who “doesn’t do maternity care” took the course and found value in doing so.
“When I first started my practice, I did maternity care and absolutely loved it, still remaining one of the most memorable aspects of my career” she said. Life got busy and she now finds that the approach to ordering lab work and imaging have greatly changed. “When I began, we did not do ultrasound till quite late in the pregnancy,” she recalls. “It was deemed not to be helpful. Now we do date ultrasound and it’s found to be economically wise and has become mandatory.”
Familiarizing Medical Professionals with Tools and Checklists
“I fell in love with the idea of checklists a long time ago,” admits Dr. Buhler.
One of the course’s most important components is helping participants become familiar with the tools available, such as the early prenatal care algorithm and checklists in Pathways.
“It basically runs through all the tasks you need to complete in the first few visits when somebody comes to you pregnant,” she says, explaining that the information is presented intuitively. “For example, there are certain tests available to someone who’s 35 that are different from those recommended for someone under 30. The charts and checklist offer guidance for the various options.”
“Learning the tool will allow people not to have to remember everything,” adds Dr. McClenaghan. “It helps people find the right information.”
“It’s a great time to practice, because all of the information that is literally at our fingertips” says Dr. Kao. “The Pathways system has become a powerful search engine, by which we can not only find great resources and have a real time referral directory, but we can email patient information to enrich and supplement their care without needing to divulge our email address with them.”
Case Studies Are Valuable Learning Tools
While the initial self-guided components of the course help participants brush up on new knowledge and practices, the group sessions revolve around case studies linking learning to actual practice. All involved agree that this is a helpful format.
“One may be focused on genetic screening, while another may involve postpartum care or mental health,” explains Dr. Buhler. “We walk through each case and have small group discussions based on participants’ needs. The sessions are small, allowing for specific questions and detailed answers.”
“I found the case study format helpful,” says Dr. Kao. “There were some complicated patients presented with multiple health and social issues. So, it was great to learn about several new and invaluable resources to support such patients.”
Networking an Added Bonus
In addition to gaining knowledge and familiarizing themselves with the tools at their disposal, participants will enjoy networking with fellow medical professionals.
“Sometimes being a family physician can feel a bit lonely,” says. Dr. McClenaghan. “You’re not necessarily meeting the people that you send your patients to. I enjoy having the opportunity to meet with family doctors and get to know who they are, beyond just a name on a page.”
Dr. Buhler agrees. “Perhaps you will meet the public health nurse that you refer patients to all the time or the person from the Practice Support Program who might be able to help you implement tools in your practice.”
And Dr Kao always enjoys meeting new physicians who add a fresh, current and often enthusiastic approach to medicine. Whereas the veteran physicians have a wealth of knowledge about life, practice and office management, so supporting each other in that way is invaluable.
Presentation and Design Important Aspect of Learning
The course endeavours to present information in a way that is enjoyable and easy to comprehend. The designers at UBC have been instrumental in achieving this objective.
“I am so thrilled with the way that they’ve pulled all of this together,” says Dr. Buhler. “The doctors involved provided the knowledge and information and the writers and artists have made it easy to understand. They’ve got graphics, pop-ups, and videos. They understand how human beings learn much better than we did 10 or 20 years ago. I wasn’t bored.”
“The colours are pleasing and the graphics are nice,” concurs Dr. McClenaghan. “It makes things a lot easier.”
Course Helpful to Wide Range of People
“The course has been tailored mostly toward FPs, but I think it’s quite relevant to midwifery students, nursing students, nurses, nurse practitioners, or any primary care provider who deals with pregnant people,” says Dr. Buhler.
“We are so thrilled with the program,” says Justin Ho, “as it takes advantage of all the newer learning opportunities presented with online learning while still having that important touch point with colleagues. It’s important for us to have worked with UBC CPD on this initiative, as through them not only do our own members in Vancouver benefit from this important program, but providers across the province can as well. We look forward to supporting other Divisions of Family Practice utilizing the program that we have developed and offer tailored versions in their community.”
Those interested in taking the course are urged to sign up today. The next sessions are in person on February 7th, and online on February 13th. Alternatively, you can complete the course online, at your own pace here.
Both themselves and their patients will benefit!
Cited Sources
Direct communication with Dr. Karen Buhler, Dr. Heather McClenaghan, and Dr. Elizabeth Kao
