This could assist providers in gaining confidence or incorporating new or advanced skills into their practice. Providers should have input into the choice of probation supervisor, who could be anyone qualified for that task. Scope of privileges . A distinction is made here between basic skills for which any family physician providing maternity and newborn care should be granted privileges and more advanced skills that should be treated on an individual basis. Further specific privileges for more advanced skills can be granted to individual family physicians following appropriate review of previous training and experience.
Consultation plays an integral role in all health care settings.
Principles of consultation have been well described, both generally and in obstetrics. 9,10 Key principles for maternity and newborn care include the following. Mandatory consultation should not be part of departmental policy because family physicians vary greatly in skill and expertise and because a policy of mandatory consultation has never been shown to improve care. It should be assumed that responsible physicians will seek consultation when required, according to individual clinical situations. There are circumstances when consultation might be seriously considered, either from a specialist or a family practice colleague.