Table 5. Associations between 26 clinical items from NICE recommendations and GP characteristics; differences reported where P<0.05. In all cases for gender, female GPs reported higher frequency. In all cases for parent status, parent GPs reported higher frequency. In all cases for ‘awareness of guidance’, GPs who were aware of national guidance on the 6–8 week check reported higher frequency. In all cases for ‘use of template’, GPs who used templates to document the consultation reported higher frequency. Specific associations between ‘years of experience’ and ‘role’ varied and are described in the comments column. (Contingency tables in the Supplementary Data.)
Years of
experience		RoleGenderParentAwareness of guidanceUse of templateComments
Discussion about:
 Mental health------
 Recognising physical problems----<0.0010.002
 Pelvic floor exercises--<0.0010.002<0.001<0.001
 Fatigue0.0000.0390.003<0.001<0.0010.046more frequent in 11–20 and ≥21 years more frequent in partners and locums
 Diet, exercise, smoking, etc-0.002--<0.001<0.001more frequent in locums and GPSTs
 Contraception--0.006---
 Sexual intercourse--<0.0010.004<0.001<0.001
 Safeguarding0.000---<0.001<0.001more frequent in GPST and ≤5 years
 Birth experience--<0.001-0.0090.042
Specific history taking for:
 Infection----0.0010.009
 Pain---<0.001<0.001
 Vaginal loss--<0.001-0.0030.017
 Bladder function--<0.001-<0.0010.003
 Bowel function--0.003-<0.0010.024
 Breast problems--0.001-0.001-
 Thromboembolism----<0.001<0.001
 Pre-eclampsia----<0.0010.004
 Wound healing--<0.001-0.039-
 Anaemia0.013---<0.0010.001more frequent in GPST and ≥21 years
 Psychological wellbeing--<0.001-0.032-
Clinical examination of:
 Signs of possible VTE0.004---<0.001-more frequent in GPST and ≥21 years
 Blood pressure---0.024<0.001<0.001
 Vaginal problems--<0.001---
 Caesarean section wound (when applicable)------
 Perineal wound (when applicable)0.0490.019<0.0010.0010.032-more frequent in GPST
more frequent in GPSTs and locums
Review and plan follow-up for:
 Pregnancy complications, for example, diabetes, hypertension--0.025-0.0020.015

  • GPST = general practice specialty trainee. NICE = National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. VTE = venous thromboembolism