“Good obstetrics” revisited: Too many evidence-based practices and devices are not used

  • International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Volume 94, No. 2, Year 2006

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Study Justification:
The study aims to address the issue of underutilization of evidence-based obstetric practices in many settings, which is hindering the improvement of quality obstetric care. This is particularly important as countries strive to achieve Millennium Development Goals 5 and 4, which focus on reducing maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity. By highlighting the existing evidence-based interventions that are not universally applied and promoting further research in this area, the study seeks to improve obstetric care practices, especially in resource-poor settings.
Highlights:
– The study reviews the reasons why implementing changes in obstetric practices is challenging.
– It provides a comprehensive list of evidence-based interventions that effectively address major obstetric complications, supported by references and sources of documentation.
– The study also identifies promising interventions that require further research before being recommended.
– Professionals and health services managers play a crucial role in implementing these evidence-based interventions and making them accessible to all pregnant women and newborns, even in poor settings.
– Lack of access to scientific knowledge in developing countries is identified as a barrier, and the study provides key references and freely accessible websites to address this issue.
Recommendations:
– Health professionals and managers should prioritize the implementation of evidence-based interventions to improve the quality of obstetric and neonatal care.
– Efforts should be made to address the barriers that slow down progress in implementing these interventions.
– Further research is needed to expand the evidence base for obstetric care practices and devices, particularly those suitable for resource-poor settings.
– The study encourages discussion and dissemination of good obstetric practices to contribute to better maternal and newborn health.
Key Role Players:
– Health professionals (obstetricians, midwives, nurses, etc.)
– Health services managers/administrators
– Researchers and scientists
– Policy makers and government officials
– Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international agencies
Cost Items for Planning Recommendations:
– Training and capacity building for health professionals
– Research funding for expanding the evidence base
– Development and dissemination of educational materials and guidelines
– Infrastructure and equipment upgrades
– Monitoring and evaluation systems
– Collaboration and coordination efforts with stakeholders
– Advocacy and awareness campaigns

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Introduction: As countries are designing and implementing strategies to address maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity (Millennium Development Goals 5 and 4), it appears that a large number of evidence-based obstetric practices are not used in many settings, and this is a major obstacle to the improvement of quality obstetric care. Objectives: To remind readers of the existing, relatively easy-to-implement, evidence-based interventions that are currently not being universally applied in obstetric care and, second, to foster research to expand the evidence base further for obstetric care practices and devices, especially those that could be used in resource-poor settings. Methods: We review possible reasons why changes into practices are difficult to obtain, and we list the key evidence-based interventions known to effectively deal with the main obstetric complications, with supporting references and sources of documentation. We also list some promising interventions that require more research before being recommended. Conclusion: Professionals and health services managers have a crucial role in producing the best quality obstetric and neonatal care through implementing the listed evidence-based interventions and make them accessible to all pregnant women and their newborns without delay, even in poor settings. Reasons for which progress is slow should be addressed. One of these reasons being the lack of access to scientific knowledge from the part of professionals in developing countries, we give the key references and also websites which are freely accessible through the Internet. It is hoped that this paper will stimulate the discussion on the dissemination and use of good obstetric practices, and contribute to better maternal and newborn health. © 2006 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.

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The publication titled “Good obstetrics” revisited: Too many evidence-based practices and devices are not used” provides recommendations to improve access to maternal health by implementing evidence-based interventions in obstetric care. The paper suggests the following steps:

1. Raise awareness: Professionals and health services managers should be made aware of the existing evidence-based interventions that are currently underutilized in obstetric care. This can be done through training programs, workshops, and conferences.

2. Promote research: Further research is needed to expand the evidence base for obstetric care practices and devices, particularly those suitable for resource-poor settings. Investing in research will help identify and validate interventions that can improve maternal health outcomes.

3. Address barriers: Identify and address the barriers that hinder the implementation of evidence-based practices. This may include addressing the lack of access to scientific knowledge in developing countries and providing resources and support to healthcare professionals in these settings.

4. Disseminate knowledge: Make key references and freely accessible websites available to healthcare professionals in developing countries. This will ensure that they have access to the latest scientific knowledge and can implement evidence-based interventions effectively.

Implementing these recommendations is expected to increase the use of evidence-based practices and devices in obstetric care, leading to improved maternal and newborn health outcomes.
AI Innovations Description
The recommendation provided in the publication titled “Good obstetrics” revisited: Too many evidence-based practices and devices are not used” is to improve access to maternal health by implementing evidence-based interventions in obstetric care. The paper emphasizes the need for healthcare professionals and managers to prioritize the use of evidence-based practices and devices to enhance the quality of obstetric and neonatal care.

To achieve this, the following steps are suggested:

1. Raise awareness: Professionals and health services managers should be made aware of the existing evidence-based interventions that are currently underutilized in obstetric care. This can be done through training programs, workshops, and conferences.

2. Promote research: Further research is needed to expand the evidence base for obstetric care practices and devices, particularly those suitable for resource-poor settings. Investing in research will help identify and validate interventions that can improve maternal health outcomes.

3. Address barriers: Identify and address the barriers that hinder the implementation of evidence-based practices. This may include addressing the lack of access to scientific knowledge in developing countries and providing resources and support to healthcare professionals in these settings.

4. Disseminate knowledge: Make key references and freely accessible websites available to healthcare professionals in developing countries. This will ensure that they have access to the latest scientific knowledge and can implement evidence-based interventions effectively.

By implementing these recommendations, it is hoped that the use of evidence-based practices and devices in obstetric care will be increased, leading to improved maternal and newborn health outcomes.
AI Innovations Methodology
To simulate the impact of the main recommendations in this abstract on improving access to maternal health, a possible methodology could involve the following steps:

1. Data collection: Gather data on the current utilization of evidence-based practices and devices in obstetric care in different settings, including both resource-rich and resource-poor countries. This can be done through surveys, interviews, and analysis of existing data sources.

2. Identify target areas: Select specific regions or healthcare facilities where access to maternal health is limited or where evidence-based practices are underutilized. These areas will serve as the focus for implementing the recommendations.

3. Intervention implementation: Implement the recommendations outlined in the abstract in the selected target areas. This may involve conducting training programs, workshops, and conferences to raise awareness among healthcare professionals and managers about evidence-based interventions. Provide resources and support to address barriers and improve access to scientific knowledge.

4. Monitoring and evaluation: Establish a monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the impact of the implemented interventions. This can include tracking the adoption of evidence-based practices, measuring changes in maternal health outcomes, and collecting feedback from healthcare professionals and managers.

5. Data analysis: Analyze the collected data to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented interventions in improving access to maternal health. Compare the utilization of evidence-based practices and devices before and after the intervention, and assess any changes in maternal health outcomes.

6. Dissemination of findings: Share the findings of the simulation study with relevant stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, managers, policymakers, and researchers. This will help raise awareness about the importance of evidence-based practices and devices in obstetric care and encourage further implementation.

By following this methodology, it will be possible to assess the impact of implementing the recommendations outlined in the abstract on improving access to maternal health and inform future efforts to enhance obstetric care.


Statistics:
Citations: 38
Identifiers:
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2006.05.020
ISSN: 00207292
Research Areas:
Community Interventions, Health System and Policy, Maternal and Child Health, Quality of Care
Participants Gender:
Female
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