Preconception care by family physicians and general practitioners in Japan.
BACKGROUND
Preconception care provided by family physicians/general practitioners (FP/GPs) can provide predictable benefits to mothers and infants. The objective of this study was to elucidate knowledge of, attitudes about, and practices of preconception care by FP/GPs in Japan.


METHODS
A survey was distributed to physician members of the Japanese Academy of Family Medicine. The questionnaire addressed experiences of preconception education in medical school and residency, frequency of preconception care in clinical practice, attitudes about providing preconception care, and perceived need for preconception education to medical students and residents.


RESULTS
Two hundred and sixty-eight of 347 (77%) eligible physicians responded. The most common education they reported receiving was about smoking cessation (71%), and the least was about folic acid supplementation (12%). Many participants reported providing smoking cessation in their practice (60%), though only about one third of respondents advise restricting alcohol intake. Few reported advising calcium supplementation (10%) or folic acid supplementation (4%). About 70% reported their willingness to provide preconception care. Almost all participants believe medical students and residents should have education about preconception care.


CONCLUSIONS
FP/GPs in Japan report little training in preconception care and few currently provide it. With training, most participants are willing to provide preconception care themselves and think medical students and residents should receive this education.
Kitamura
Kazuya
K
Department of General Medicine, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya 466-8560, Japan. kitayann@zf7.so-net.ne.jp
Fetters
Michael D
MD
Ban
Nobutaro
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016742:Preconception Care / Q000592:standards*; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D005492:Folic Acid