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Continuum of care and the antenatal record in rural New South Wales.

OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the woman held antenatal record card (PNC2) on the continuity of maternity care received when presenting to the acute rural setting for clinical assessment.


DESIGN
Qualitative, open-ended questionnaires.


SETTING
Rural New South Wales public hospital.


SUBJECTS
Maternity consumers, 50 women who were inpatients receiving antenatal or postnatal care between August and October 1998. A stratified sample of healthcare professionals employed by the service, 12 midwives and 13 general practitioners.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE
The self reported use of the antenatal card and the viewed effects of the card on the continuity of healthcare received.


RESULTS
The study identified a significant difference between the responding professionals (93%) positive perception of the effect of the PNC2 on the women's pregnancy continuum of care and the maternity consumer (36%), who felt it bore little impact on their care. The study findings suggested a lack of compliance and standardisation in usage of the antenatal card negated any flow on effects for the women.


CONCLUSIONS
The intended purposes of the PNC2 were compromised in this rural setting. The study recommends that stakeholders in rural maternity care be accountable for examining the benefits and barriers of their antenatal practices, that the rural community's expectations of 'continuity of maternity care' are sought and that there should be a review of the available models of rural antenatal care.