Use of complementary therapies in pregnancy: the perceptions of obstetricians and midwives in South Australia

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dc.contributor.authorGaffney, L.
dc.contributor.authorSmith, C.
dc.date.issued2004
dc.description.abstract<h4>Objective</h4>To examine South Australian obstetricians and midwives attitude's towards the use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) during pregnancy, to examine their referral patterns and their views on the usefulness and safety of these therapies during pregnancy.<h4>Design</h4>All members of the South Australian branch of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and a 50% sample of midwives belonging to the South Australian Branch of The Australian College of Midwives, were sent a postal self-completion questionnaire.<h4>Results</h4>A response rate of 78% was obtained. Only 14% of doctors considered CAM was a threat to public health. Over 90% of midwives and obstetricians thought they should have some knowledge about CAM. A greater proportion of obstetricians (72%) held a view there needs to be an evidence base for CAM compared with 26% of midwives. The majority of obstetricians (68%) and midwives (78%) had formally referred a patient for use of one of the complementary therapies. Over 70% of obstetricians and midwives considered massage, acupuncture, vitamins, yoga, meditation and hypnosis to be useful and safe to use during pregnancy.<h4>Conclusion</h4>The majority of clinician's held positive views towards CAM and considered some complementary therapies to be useful and safe for use during pregnancy. Limited evidence exists on the safety and efficacy of these therapies and attention needs to be given to undertaking high quality randomised controlled trials.
dc.identifier.citationAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2004; 44(1):24-29
dc.identifier.doi10.1111/j.1479-828X.2004.00161.x
dc.identifier.issn0004-8666
dc.identifier.issn1479-828X
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/7977
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherBlackwell Publishing Asia
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1111/j.1479-828x.2004.00161.x
dc.subjectHumans
dc.subjectComplementary Therapies
dc.subjectPerinatal Care
dc.subjectHealth Care Surveys
dc.subjectProbability
dc.subjectAttitude of Health Personnel
dc.subjectObstetrics
dc.subjectMidwifery
dc.subjectPregnancy
dc.subjectReferral and Consultation
dc.subjectSouth Australia
dc.subjectFemale
dc.subjectMale
dc.subjectSurveys and Questionnaires
dc.subjectOutcome Assessment, Health Care
dc.titleUse of complementary therapies in pregnancy: the perceptions of obstetricians and midwives in South Australia
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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