Childbirth problems a complex issue
Re Negligence, malpractice, sex abuse, Nov. 28 This story implies that women in Ontario must rely on an unsafe maternity health system. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Canada enjoys some of the best maternal and newborn outcomes in the world, acknowledged as world-leading. Our health professionals work collaboratively to respond compassionately when things do not go as planned.
It is a tragedy that some babies are born with medical conditions, or suffer from pregnancy or birth complications that require a lifetime of care. In those cases, families need ongoing assistance.
Careful understanding of “what went wrong” usually tells a complex story. It is rare that a single person’s actions caused the bad outcome. More often the problem is a result of a system error or a series of failures.
When errors are made, we need to ensure that we understand what went wrong so they can be prevented from happening again. Birth will never be without risk. Although it is usually a happy event, it remains one of the riskiest things we do as women.
For most women birth is a safe and joyous occasion. Our mission is to make it so for every woman.
Dr. Margaret Burnett, Dr. Jennifer Blake and Dr. William Mundle, Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada Ob/gyns are not sued at higher rates than other surgical specialties in Canada. By singling out our profession in an article filled only with highly unusual cases, you distort that reality and do a disservice to patients.
Obstetricians and gynecologists receive at least five years of specialized training on top of their regular medical education. At U of T, we offer extensive programs to deliver the best care to women, whether dealing with high-risk pregnancies, preserving fertility, helping mitigate genetic cancer risks or delivering care to refugee women.
Through our continuing professional education programs, we help to ensure that Ontario ob/gyns are up to date on their skills and knowledge, always based on the latest evidence.
Dr. John Kingdom and Dr. Rachel Spitzer, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, U of T