Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives At the completion of this subject, students will have a sound understanding of the normal pregnancy, labour, delivery and puerperium and be able to recognise and manage common obstetric abnormalities and emergencies; the psychosocial aspects of pregnancy and childbirth; the range of birthing options and cross-cultural issues in birthing; communication skills required to facilitate active involvement of women and their partners in childbirth; breast feeding and its promotion; counselling skills in relation to perinatal loss and disabilities in the newborn; family planning issues; infertility; menstrual disorders; sexually transmitted disease; pelvic inflammatory disease; early diagnosis of cancer; relationship, sexual and genetic counselling. Appropriate attitudes in relation to issues pertaining to women's health will be reinforced throughout this rotation.
Synopsis Nine weeks of teaching, integrated with the clinical teaching program in paediatrics. Clinical teaching in city and peripheral hospitals to cover rostered labour ward activities including performing a minimum of ten deliveries and two episiotomy repairs; postnatal ward clerking of obstetric patients and their babies; antenatal clinic teaching with practise of history and examination skills in relation to pregnancy; gynaecology clinic teaching with practise of history and physical examination skills and performing of diagnostic tests; gynaecology ward clerking activity; operating theatre exposure to examination of female pelvis, gynaecological pathology and indications for surgical procedures; special clinics in family planning, infertility, sexual counselling, sexually transmitted disease, foetal diagnosis, oncology assessment and menstrual and menopause clinics; lecture series on women's health issues including domestic violence, sexual abuse and child abuse, counselling and psychological disorders associated with pregnancy, principles of normal obstetric care and problems peculiar to pregnancy.
Assessment Continuous assessment: 20% + Clinical exams: 25% + MCQ exam: 30% + OSCA exam: 25%