Pre-Eclampsia/Eclampsia
This course has been allocated 2 category 2 points in the QI&CPD Program for the 2017-2019 Triennium for GPs.
Aim
The aim of this course is to enable GP’s to appropriately identify and manage a patient presenting with signs and symptoms of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia. This course focuses on improving consistency and safety in practice through updating knowledge and skills by all Clinicians involved in shared maternity care.
Relevance to General Practice
Pre-eclampsia is one of the more common complications of pregnancy and can happen at any time during the second half of pregnancy or the first few days after the birth. For most women the illness remains mild, but in some cases it can become serious and affect other parts of the body such as liver and blood clotting system (HELLP syndrome) and can also lead to convulsions (eclampsia).
Pre-eclampsia can get worse very quickly, which is dangerous for both mother and baby. It is imperative that GP’s involved in shared maternity care, update their ante and post- natal knowledge and skills in order to provide best practice advice and high quality interventions.
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes include:
- Define and understand the difference between Gestational, Chronic and Superimposed Pre-eclampsia
- Identify the pathophysiology and how the degree of endothelial dysfunction and tissue oedema impact on the severity of pre-eclampsia
- Understand the key features involved in diagnosis, including risk factors, symptoms, signs, associations and investigations
- Identify complications which may arise from the maternal, fetal and neonatal perspective where pre-eclampsia is diagnosed
- Recognise the key factors which must be considered in the timely management of a patient presenting with pre-eclampsia and/or eclampsia.