Optimising the provision of preconception care in Australian general practice: leveraging systems and providers

Preconception care (PCC) includes interventions like dietary changes, counselling, and programs to reduce smoking and alcohol consumption before conception. These measures reduce pregnancy complications and improve maternal and child health. In Australia, general practices are ideal for providing PCC but don't do so routinely. My PhD project aims to explore the potential use of electronic medical records in general practices to identify and invite reproductive-aged women with preconception risk factors to benefit from PCC. My project involved a systematic review, developing an audit tool, a clinical audit of electronic medical records, and interviews with PCC providers in general practice (general practitioners and practice nurses) and reproductive-aged women.