The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology
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Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol · Jun 2009
Participant evaluation of the RANZCOG Fetal Surveillance Education Program.
After a 'needs assessment', in 2004 the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists developed and introduced the Fetal Surveillance Education Program (FSEP) to provide high quality education to all clinicians caring for labouring women in Australia and New Zealand. A formal evaluation of the program was planned from the inception of FSEP. ⋯ Overall, FSEP was considered a high quality resource, rated equally well by midwives and obstetricians. This is the first large-scale evaluation to be reported for any fetal surveillance education program.
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Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol · Apr 2009
MotherSafe: review of three years of counselling by an Australian Teratology Information Service.
MotherSafe was established in January 2000 at the Royal Hospital for Women as Australia's first 'purpose-built' Teratogen Information Service and since then has received over 75,000 calls regarding exposures during pregnancy and lactation. ⋯ The utilisation of MotherSafe by consumers and general practitioners continues to increase, reflecting the strong demand for a teratogen counselling service that provides high-quality, evidence-based information on exposures during pregnancy and lactation.
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Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol · Apr 2009
Measurement of cardiac output in normal pregnancy by a non-invasive two-dimensional independent Doppler device.
To compose a normogram regarding cardiac output during pregnancy measured with ultrasonic cardiac output monitor (USCOM), a non-expensive simple continuous wave Doppler device and to investigate if this machine could be useful for haemodynamic monitoring during pregnancy. ⋯ USCOM appears to be a reliable and fast method to measure cardiac output compared with existing highly complex ultrasounds machines used in cardiology. It is easy to learn, cheap and quite reproducible between different observers. Further research is required to define its place in the management of hypertensive complications during pregnancy.
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Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol · Feb 2009
Randomized Controlled TrialA comparison of tramadol and pethidine analgesia on the duration of labour: a randomised clinical trial.
The ideal obstetric analgesia should provide analgesic efficacy without attenuation of uterine contractions. ⋯ Both 100 mg tramadol and 50 mg pethidine provide moderate analgesia in first stage of labour. Tramadol seems to cause a shorter duration of labour and lower incidence of maternal side-effects. However, its analgesic efficacy was not found to be as effective as pethidine, especially in the second stage of labour.
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In Australia, the Integrated Training Program (ITP) of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) offers training in obstetrics and gynaecology. There is anecdotal concern among trainees and Fellows that the surgical component of training is inadequate, with new specialists lacking the confidence and competence to perform many 'standard' surgical procedures. These concerns have not previously been quantified in Australia and New Zealand. ⋯ Advanced trainees lacked confidence in a range of surgical procedures; and possible weaker areas were identified in the teaching experience of trainers. These limitations must be addressed by medical educators and training program coordinators.