ID-5184 Wonca Abstracts supplement A-K 13-10-23 - Flipbook - Page 116
WONCA 2023 Supplement 1: WONCA 2023 abstracts (A–K)
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Cradle-to-grave medicine: The hidden value of perinatal
care in general practice
Dr Shani Macaulay1,2, Dr Wendy Burton3,6, Dr Catherine Andronis4,7, Carly Roxburgh1,5
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Pioneer Health Clinic Albany, GP Obstetrician, 2RACGP, Medical Educator, 3RACGP Antenatal and
Postnatal Care Specific Interest Group, Chair, 4RACGP Psychological Medicine Specific Interest
Group, Chair, 5Rural Clinical School University of Western Australia, Senior Lecturer, 6Brisbane South
PHN, Perinatal Mental Health Educator, 7Monash and Deakin Universities, Medical Educator
General practitioners (GPs) provide cradle-to-grave care, resulting in continuity of care throughout
a person’s lifespan. There is great opportunity for preventative care, as well as early treatment, to
prevent mild disorders becoming severe in general practice. This is especially relevant throughout
the childbearing years where GPs have the capacity to practice true primary care for the whole
family. Preventive care during the first 1000 days of life has been shown to impact the lifelong health,
wellbeing and epigenetics of children. These children are our future and reflect the health of our
nations; ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.’ The importance of how GPs engage in
preconception care, shared pregnancy care and postpartum care is undeniable and urgent.
The presentation is narrative in style, using stories to walk through the preconception, pregnancy
and postpartum journey. The importance of safe, holistic, whole-person care giving is emphasised.
Evidence-based tools for GPs will be provided to example the provision of healthcare to patients
during the pregnancy and early childhood years.
Themes of recovering our place in family medicine, reconnecting with patients, their families and
the world and reviving the art of general practice in family medicine are covered. New families trust
their GPs to guide them through the transition that new parenthood brings, and a strong therapeutic
alliance acts as a stable and secure base. GPs, and the whole practice team, can provide evidencebased, trauma-informed, quality healthcare when supporting families during these impactful
biopsychosocial changes.
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