Breast-feeding education of obstetrics-gynecology residents and practitioners.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to assess breast-feeding education, knowledge, attitudes, and practices among resident and practicing obstetrician-gynecologists.


METHODS
A mailed survey was administered to a national sample of resident and practicing obstetrician-gynecologists.


RESULTS
Response rates were 64% for residents and 69% for practitioners. Residency training included limited opportunity for direct patient interaction regarding breast-feeding; 60% of practitioners recommended that training devote more time to breast-feeding counseling skills. Only 38% of residents reported that obstetric faculty presented breast-feeding topics; more common sources were nursing staff and other residents. Practitioners rated themselves as more effective in meeting the needs of breast-feeding patients than were residents; prior personal breast-feeding experience was a significant influence on perceived effectiveness. Almost all respondents agreed that obstretician-gynecologists have a role in breast-feeding promotion, but significant deficits in knowledge of breast-feeding benefits and clinical management were found.


CONCLUSIONS
Residency training and continuing education programs should create opportunities to practice breast-feeding promotion skills and emphasize management of common lactation problems.
Freed
G L
GL
Division of Community Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 27599-7590, USA.
Clark
S J
SJ
Cefalo
R C
RC
Sorenson
J R
JR
D001942:Breast Feeding; D003376:Counseling; D004501:Education, Medical; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education*; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States