Implementing personalized obstetric care

Unfortunately, pregnancies do not always happen without complications. Although in some cases complications can be well treated, prevention is better than cure. It is therefore useful if an obstetrician or gynecologist can make a good estimate of the potential risks at the beginning of the pregnancy. In the Expect study, described in this thesis, models that make it possible to estimate the risk of pregnancy poisoning or pregnancy diabetes (so-called prediction models) were applied in birth care in combination with care pathways tailored to the personal risk. The first results show that the models were frequently used. Additional advice and measures were frequently discussed and applied in a substantial group of women. The research shows that more healthy babies were born during the application of the new birth care, especially among women who were pregnant for the first time. In addition, the new birth care has led to a significant cost reduction of on average € 2,700 per pregnancy

Wat verwacht de maatschappij van een huisarts buiten diensttijd?

Dat u als huisarts een maatschappelijke voorbeeldfunctie heeft, is niets nieuws onder de zon. Dat u, ook wanneer u geen dienst hebt, een hulpplicht hebt, zal ook niemand verbazen. Maar in hoeverre mogen anderen u aanspreken op uw gedrag wanneer u niet aan het werk bent? In hoeverre kan het tuchtrecht worden ingeschakeld bij conflicten die u in uw vrije tijd hebt, bijvoorbeeld op uw sportclub

Impact on perinatal health and cost-effectiveness of risk-based care in obstetrics: a before-after study

BACKGROUND: Obstetric health care relies on an adequate antepartum risk selection. Most guidelines used for risk stratification, however, do not assess absolute risks. In 2017, a prediction tool was implemented in a Dutch region. This tool combines first trimester prediction models with obstetric care paths tailored to the individual risk profile, enabling risk-based care. OBJECTIVE: To assess impact and cost-effectiveness of risk-based care compared to care-as-usual in a general population. METHODS: A before-after study was conducted using 2 multicenter prospective cohorts. The first cohort (2013-2015) received care-as-usual; the second cohort (2017-2018) received risk-based care. Health outcomes were (1) a composite of adverse perinatal outcomes and (2) maternal quality-adjusted life-years. Costs were estimated using a health care perspective from conception to 6 weeks after the due date. Mean costs per woman, cost differences between the 2 groups, and incremental cost effectiveness ratios were calculated. Sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the robustness of the findings. RESULTS: In total 3425 women were included. In nulliparous women there was a significant reduction of perinatal adverse outcomes among the risk-based care group (adjusted odds ratio, 0.56; 95% confidence interval, 0.32-0.94), but not in multiparous women. Mean costs per pregnant woman were significantly lower for risk-based care (mean difference, -(sic)2766; 95% confidence interval, -(sic)3700 to -(sic)1825). No differences in maternal quality of life, adjusted for baseline health, were observed. CONCLUSION: In the Netherlands, risk-based care in nulliparous women was associated with improved perinatal outcomes as compared to care-as-usual. Furthermore, risk-based care was cost-effective compared to care-as-usual and resulted in lower health care costs

Perinatal factors related to pregnancy and childbirth satisfaction:a prospective cohort study

Background: Satisfaction of pregnancy and childbirth is an important quality measure of maternity care. Satisfaction questionnaires generally result in high scores. However, it has been argued that dissatisfaction relies on a different construct. In response to a worldwide call for obstetric care that is more woman-centered, we identified and described the contributors to suboptimal satisfaction with pregnancy and childbirth. Methods: A prospective subcohort of 739 women from a larger cohort (Expect Study I, n = 2614) received a pregnancy and childbirth satisfaction questionnaire. Scores were transformed to a binary outcome whereby a score Results: Decreased perceived personal well-being, antenatal anxiety, and obstetrician-led care during labor were all independently associated with suboptimal pregnancy and childbirth satisfaction. No difference in satisfaction was found between antenatal care led by a midwife or an obstetrician, but midwife-led antenatal care reduced the odds of suboptimal satisfaction compared to women who were transferred to an obstetrician in the antenatal period. Antenatal anxiety was experienced by 25% of all women and is associated with decreased satisfaction scores. Discussion: Screening and treatment of women suffering from anxiety might improve pregnancy and childbirth satisfaction, but further research is necessary. Women's birthing experience may improve by reducing unnecessary secondary obstetric care

Impact on perinatal health and cost-effectiveness of risk-based care in obstetrics:a before-after study

BACKGROUND: Obstetric health care relies on an adequate antepartum risk selection. Most guidelines used for risk stratification, however, do not assess absolute risks. In 2017, a prediction tool was implemented in a Dutch region. This tool combines first trimester prediction models with obstetric care paths tailored to the individual risk profile, enabling risk-based care. OBJECTIVE: To assess impact and cost-effectiveness of risk-based care compared to care-as-usual in a general population. METHODS: A before-after study was conducted using 2 multicenter prospective cohorts. The first cohort (2013-2015) received care-as-usual; the second cohort (2017-2018) received risk-based care. Health outcomes were (1) a composite of adverse perinatal outcomes and (2) maternal quality-adjusted life-years. Costs were estimated using a health care perspective from conception to 6 weeks after the due date. Mean costs per woman, cost differences between the 2 groups, and incremental cost effectiveness ratios were calculated. Sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the robustness of the findings. RESULTS: In total 3425 women were included. In nulliparous women there was a significant reduction of perinatal adverse outcomes among the risk-based care group (adjusted odds ratio, 0.56; 95% confidence interval, 0.32-0.94), but not in multiparous women. Mean costs per pregnant woman were significantly lower for risk-based care (mean difference, -(sic)2766; 95% confidence interval, -(sic)3700 to -(sic)1825). No differences in maternal quality of life, adjusted for baseline health, were observed. CONCLUSION: In the Netherlands, risk-based care in nulliparous women was associated with improved perinatal outcomes as compared to care-as-usual. Furthermore, risk-based care was cost-effective compared to care-as-usual and resulted in lower health care costs

Implementation and Effects of Risk-Dependent Obstetric Care in the Netherlands (Expect Study II):Protocol for an Impact Study

BACKGROUND: Recently, validated risk models predicting adverse obstetric outcomes combined with risk-dependent care paths have been made available for early antenatal care in the southeastern part of the Netherlands. This study will evaluate implementation progress and impact of the new approach in obstetric care.OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to describe the design of a study evaluating the impact of implementing risk-dependent care. Validated first-trimester prediction models are embedded in daily clinical practice and combined with risk-dependent obstetric care paths.METHODS: A multicenter prospective cohort study consisting of women who receive risk-dependent care is being performed from April 2017 to April 2018 (Expect Study II). Obstetric risk profiles will be calculated using a Web-based tool, the Expect prediction tool. The primary outcomes are the adherence of health care professionals and compliance of women. Secondary outcomes are patient satisfaction and cost-effectiveness. Outcome measures will be established using Web-based questionnaires. The secondary outcomes of the risk-dependent care cohort (Expect II) will be compared with the outcomes of a similar prospective cohort (Expect I). Women of this similar cohort received former care-as-usual and were prospectively included between July 1, 2013 and December 31, 2015 (Expect I).RESULTS: Currently, women are being recruited for the Expect Study II, and a total of 300 women are enrolled.CONCLUSIONS: This study will provide information about the implementation and impact of a new approach in obstetric care using prediction models and risk-dependent obstetric care paths.TRIAL REGISTRATION: Netherlands Trial Register NTR4143; http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=4143 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6t8ijtpd9).</p