title: Practice patterns of obstetrician-gynecologists regarding preconception and prenatal screening for cystic fibrosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess practices of obstetrician-gynecologists regarding carrier screening for cystic fibrosis (CF).
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire investigating practice patterns and opinions pertaining to CF screening was mailed to 1165 members of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), of whom 565 participate in the Collaborative Ambulatory Research Network (CARN) and 600 were randomly selected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the questionnaires, 64% were returned. Statistical analyses were limited to the 632 respondents whose primary medical specialty was gynecology (Gyn Only) or obstetrics and gynecology (ObGyn). CARN membership was not a significant factor on any nondemographic measure. Almost one-half of physicians do not ask nonpregnant patients their family history of CF or provide them with information about CF screening. The majority of ObGyns (88.7%) ask obstetric patients their family history of CF, and offer CF carrier screening. Almost two-thirds (65.8%) offer screening to all prenatal patients. Among those ObGyns who selectively offer CF screening to pregnant patients, only 27.4% utilized all of the selection criteria in the guidelines. Liability for not offering screening, familiarity with CF, and the ability to interpret a positive screening test were important physician concerns.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate a need for minimizing the complexity of clinical guidelines for population-based genetic screening, prospective assessment of implementation and focused continuing education for providers.
authors.affiliation: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Research Department, Washington, DC 20024, USA.
authors.forename: Maria A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Deborah A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Driscoll
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Mennuti
authors.forename: Jay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schulkin
mesh_terms: D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006176:Gynecology; D006801:Humans; D009774:Obstetrics; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D016742:Preconception Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires