Primary care providers and hypertension in pregnancy: Reflections on a patient encounter

Abstract

In South Africa, large numbers of individuals with medical emergencies initially visit a general practitioner or family physician. In the case of  maternity care, this may occasionally involve acute onset of severe hypertension during the antenatal period. Primary care providers (PCPs) are  therefore faced with the conundrum of treating and stabilising high blood pressure or referring the patient to an appropriate hospital. Case reviews  within groups of medical practitioners provide an opportunity for learning in the practical management of obstetric emergencies. The case history  of a patient with severe hypertension was presented, and reflections on this patient encounter were highlighted. Amongst the challenges faced by generalists in their  interactions with the public health sector are availability of standard clinical protocols, medicines, the need to work in partnership and the need to  have ‘feedback’.