Conflicting perceptions between health care professionals and patients on the psychological morbidity following miscarriage

• Published in: Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology 2010-12, Vol.50 (6), p.562-567
• Main Authors: KONG, Grace W. S., LOK, Ingrid H., LAM, Po M., YIP, Alexander S. K., CHUNG, Tony K. H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abortion, Spontaneous - epidemiology; Abortion, Spontaneous - psychology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Personnel - psychology; Humans; miscarriage; Patients - psychology; Perception; Physician-Patient Relations; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies; psychological morbidity; Severity of Illness Index; Spouses - psychology
• ISSN: 0004-8666; 1479-828X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1479-828X.2010.01229.x

Background:  Miscarriage is common and may result in significant psychological morbidity for women. Recent research has revealed that health care professionals often tend to neglect this factor. This negligence may lead to delayed diagnosis and appropriate care. Aims:  To assess health care professionals’ and patients’ attitudes towards the psychological impact of miscarriage. Methods:  A prospective, cross‐sectional survey of nearly 3000 subjects was conducted. Of these, 1269 were health care professionals and 1519 were pregnant women or their spouses. Their perceptions of the psychological impact of miscarriage, in comparison with postnatal depression were studied. Results:  Health care professionals were less aware of the psychological impact of miscarriage compared with postnatal depression (91.9 vs 98.4%, P = 0.02). Furthermore, they believed that the psychological impact of miscarriage was less than that of postnatal depression (79.9 vs 88.9%, P