We sat down with QUFW’s Dr. Carol Portmann to learn more about her journey as an obstetrics and gynaecology specialist, her commitment to helping women get the best pregnancy outcomes, her thoughts on medical technology, and more.
Dr. Carol Portmann is a Queensland-trained doctor, obstetrician, and maternal fetal medicine specialist with more than 20 years’ experience.
Table Of Contents:
- Reflecting on positivity, but also realism
- The two sides to technology
- On adverse outcomes
- The benefits of NIPT
- Inspiring the next generation
- On her role at QUFW
- Career and personal life reflections
—
Engaging in conversation with Dr. Carol Portmann is as interesting as it is inspiring.
Whether it’s hearing about her lifelong interest in obstetrics and gynaecology, the way she masterfully combines empathy with medical advice, or her passion for cooking and travel, Dr. Portmann’s skill as a conversationalist leaves nothing to the imagination as to how, and why, she has achieved so much in her career.
“From the earliest time that I can remember, I always felt that I was going to go somewhere in healthcare, as a doctor, nurse, or one of those roles,” she says.
“I was lucky enough to get into med school, which I did locally here in Queensland.”
Dr. Portmann was attracted to obstetrics early in her career. For the most part, she was drawn to the natural positives of pregnancy and childbirth.
“In this space, there are generally happy endings, and it’s all about making that happen safely.”
“It’s about guiding a natural process,” she explains.
Dr. Portmann pursued a Diploma of Obstetrics in New South Wales, which solidified her interest in the field. Upon completion of this qualification, she returned to Queensland to take up a position at the Mater Mothers Hospital in Brisbane.
Here, her career was greatly influenced by the late Professor Fung Yee Chan.
“During my time at the Mater, I went to many meetings where Professor Fung Yee Chan would show ultrasound pictures of babies with various sorts of conditions,” she explains.
“And I looked up at that screen and was fascinated by what she was doing.”
“I had this strong motivation to learn obstetric ultrasound and how to identify babies with problems.”
Dr. Portmann’s pursuit of this field took her overseas to University College London, in the United Kingdom, where she completed a master’s degree in prenatal genetics and fetal medicine.
Her research, which focused on blood clotting disorders and their implications on pregnancy, advanced her expertise in specialised areas of maternal and fetal health.
“I got a chance to spend time processing blood tests and interviewing people with adverse pregnancy outcomes and putting it all together for a master’s research project.”
“It was fascinating,” she explains.
Upon returning to Australia, Dr. Portmann continued her work in Brisbane. She played a pivotal role in developing the Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) department at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, and later joined the QUFW team where she practises today.
Reflecting on positivity, but also realism
Dr. Portmann describes her work as, for the most part, joyous. The majority of the pregnancies she sees result in positive outcomes.
However, she also comments on the statistical realism that not all pregnancies unfold as planned, and the importance of delivering advice with empathy when complications arise.
“There’s a lot involved in a complicated high-risk pregnancy, which is what maternal fetal medicine is all about,” she says.
“It’s trying to get the best outcome using your medical skills, but also trying to provide positive and emotional support.”
Early in a complicated pregnancy, she might discuss potential complications. However, through vigilant care and management, she often sees these pregnancies result in the birth of healthy babies, surpassing initial expectations.
“Sometimes, early on, you’ll see things where you’ve got to talk to someone about possibilities.”
“However, you also support them through the process with the view to doing the best you can for a good outcome,” she explains.
“And then as you guide this person through, with their tiny little baby, you get to the end and this little baby is born happier and healthier than you thought they might be, which is fantastic.”
The two sides to technology
Dr. Portmann also explains how developments in imaging technology have dramatically enhanced the ability to identify at-risk pregnancies. This progression has enabled better management of pregnancy complications, and has improved outcomes for both mothers and their babies.
However, for Dr. Portmann, technology can be a double-edged sword. While it brings enhanced capabilities for early diagnosis, it also introduces new challenges, such as the potential for increased patient anxiety over findings that might have uncertain implications.
“Of course, the downside to cutting-edge technology is that we are now finding things that we don’t necessarily know what their significance is.”
“So there’s always a downside to the technology when we identify things that could be an issue, but we don’t really know.”
“Technology is great, but it has the potential to create more anxiety.”
Dr. Portmann also emphasises the limitations of ultrasound imaging. She stresses that while ultrasound is a powerful tool for assessing fetal health, it does not reveal everything and should not be expected to predict all potential issues.
“You’re not going to see everything on an ultrasound about a baby’s wellbeing,” she says.
“And that also includes gynaecology ultrasound.”
“You’re not going to identify everything. Not all forms of endometriosis or early reproductive cancers can be excluded.”
On adverse outcomes
Dr. Portmann touches on the ethical dilemmas encountered when potential adverse pregnancy outcomes are found. She discusses the delicate process of counselling parents through decisions about pregnancy continuation, or even termination, in cases where prognoses are uncertain. These situations demand a high degree of sensitivity and ethical consideration, as some choices are profoundly personal and impactful.
She also prioritises starting consultations positively but remaining committed to honesty, especially when the findings are serious. Her approach makes sure that patients are not only well-informed but also supported throughout their journey.
“If I see something that is definitive and serious, I will say what it means and the potential significance and what we need to do.”
“It’s about being honest when we have definitive information, but then when we see something that has some significance but is not necessarily severe, I will begin with positivity and say, look, we found something, but it doesn’t necessarily mean anything bad.”
“I’ll then explain that we need to do further work to just monitor or identify any additional issues.”
The benefits of NIPT
Dr. Portmann explains how non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) has been a positive step forward for both the patient and the medical practitioner. NIPT allows for more accurate and sensitive detection of potential issues in fetuses, reducing the need for more invasive procedures like amniocentesis.
“NIPT allows us to identify the babies at risk of problems with greater sensitivity and accuracy, without having to rely on invasive procedures that could put mother and baby at risk,” she says.
This advancement, coupled with improved genetic screening, enables the detection of conditions like cystic fibrosis beyond what ultrasound can reveal, enhancing prenatal care and parental preparedness.
Inspiring the next generation
Dr. Portmann plays a significant role in training the next generation of fetal maternal doctors. And surprisingly, the mentoring advice she has for medical students and young doctors is non-medical.
She stresses the importance of retaining humanity and empathy, reminding medical practitioners that both they and their patients are people first, a perspective that enriches the patient-doctor relationship and enhances care quality.
“Don’t make everything about science,” she says.
“They are people, you’re a person, your patient is a person.”
“Make sure that you retain your humanity on your journey in the medical field.”
On her role at QUFW
Dr. Portmann doesn’t hide her passion for QUFW. Her message to patients and referring general practitioners is clear: the service provided at QUFW is more than just diagnostics; it’s about comprehensive care and support. And it’s about the bigger picture.
This philosophy is central to Dr. Portmann’s practice, and is indicative of her broader approach to healthcare, which prioritises patient wellbeing and informed, supportive care.
“The service that we provide at QUFW is all about counselling, alongside imaging.”
“We don’t just send you away with your scan, and something that you might not know about.”
“We make sure that you’re informed if something is different to usual.”
“And at QUFW we have very, very experienced sonographers and doctors to assist if anything is happening, and to reassure you when we feel that everything is great,” she says.
Career and personal life reflections
Reflecting on her own career, Dr. Portmann acknowledges moments of personal challenge, particularly regarding work-life balance. She candidly shares that there were times when she allowed work to overshadow her personal life, leading to stress and burnout.
This experience taught her the value of taking time for oneself and maintaining connections with family, insights she wishes she had embraced earlier in her career.
Her interests in cooking and travel highlight her approach to maintaining a well-rounded life, which helps her manage the stresses associated with her career.
“I like cooking books. I like cooking classes. I like cooking shows,” she beams.
When quizzed on a particular cuisine, Dr. Portmann demonstrates an ambition for cooking that clearly competes with her passion for women’s health.
“I’ll try anything and everything,” she says with a smile.
Dr. Portmann’s career is a testament to the relationship between medical practice and the timeless values of compassion and ethical integrity. Her dedication to advancing her field while providing empathetic, informed care to her patients highlights her role not just as a medical professional but as a foundation of support for families during one of the most significant times of their lives.
As Dr. Portmann continues her work, her influence extends beyond immediate clinical outcomes. She shapes the practices and attitudes of the future medical cohort through her advocacy, teachings, and exemplary model of care.
Her legacy is one of compassion, innovation, and a commitment to improving the lives of women and their families through excellence in maternal fetal medicine, even if things don’t quite go as planned.
—
August 2024
Content Disclaimer
The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new healthcare regimen.
The content on this website is not intended to be a comprehensive source of information on any particular topic and should not be relied upon as such. The authors and publishers of this website are not liable for any damages or injury resulting from the use or misuse of the information provided on this website.
0 Comments