DECISION MAKING IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY

The key to successful management of various clinical conditions lies in the ability to take appropriate decisions as per specific situations. The mental exercise, thought of being right or wrong and the need to take responsibility can often weigh heavily upon a clinician’s mind when facing certain clinical conditions.

The process of decision-making is usually not as straightforward as selecting a television channel. It requires promptness, confidence and an ability to accept responsibility for the decision finally taken. In daily practice it is essential to have the skill for taking decisions for patient management based on astute history-taking and clinical examination and considering all currently available options to provide the best possible outcome.

As each patient is unique, we cannot decide specific management in each clinical situation for you, however we have tried to provide knowledge and information about the various diagnostic and management options presently available.

So armed with knowledge of all the diagnostic and management options available, YOU can decide the most suitable treatment for your patient, keeping her best interests in mind.

We have tried to include varied day-to-day clinical situations we all tackle such as Anemia in Pregnancy, Male Infertility, Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and occasional ones such as Hirsutism and Galactorrhea. The layout of this text is based on the format of including flow charts wherever possible to help in an ‘at-a-glance’ step-wise approach to a particular problem.

We are also aware that the list of contents we have included is not complete in itself and there would be many other clinical situations creating dilemmas in decision-making. We shall try to cover these in future texts. Your suggestions are welcome.

Efforts have been made by all authors as well as the editors to provide comprehensive information regarding available diagnostic and treatment modalities for the various topics covered in this text. However, it is possible that despite our pain-staking efforts to maintain accuracy as well as while trying to cover various options available, some errors may have crept in or readers may differ in their individual viewpoint and clinical approach based on personal experience. We would welcome such feedback so that we can all participate in a healthy discussion on controversial points.

We appreciate the tremendous efforts of the various authors in extensively covering their topics. The publisher has also shown a keen interest in this book and we extend our thanks for his constant encouragement, co-operation and support.