Community-based perinatal research.

A program of clinical perinatal research was established in a community-based hospital in collaboration with private-practice obstetricians and their patients. This longitudinal study, undertaken to investigate the value of a circulating placental protein as an indicator of fetal compromise, enrolled 200 unselected pregnant patients. The project required collection of five blood samples at 16, 20, 24, 28, and 32 weeks' gestation in addition to a level II ultrasound examination at 32 weeks. Baseline and interim prenatal visit data were collected, as were maternal and neonatal data upon delivery. Patients who participated were invariably enthusiastic about their involvement. The physicians and their staff were also generally pleased. We infer from these and other studies a need to provide enhanced educational, participatory opportunities to all pregnant women. We conclude that properly conducted, reasonably funded projects that offer no direct benefit to the patient or physician can be successfully carried out with physicians and their private patients in community hospitals. The potential benefits of developing such extended resources can only enhance medical care and foster satisfaction and cooperation among physicians and patients.