What obstetrician-gynecologists think of preconception care.
OBJECTIVE
To describe obstetrician-gynecologists' opinions of preconception care (PCC) and ascertain patient uptake for this service.


METHODS
A questionnaire was mailed to 1105 ACOG members in August 2004.


RESULTS
There was a 60% response rate. Most physicians think PCC is important (87%) and almost always recommend it to women planning a pregnancy (94%); 54% do so with women who are sexually active. Around a third (34%) thought their patients usually do not plan their pregnancies and 49% said very few pregnant patients came in for PCC. Of those who obtain PCC, they were believed to do so more likely to assure a healthy pregnancy (83%) than because of an elevated risk for birth defects (20%). Of 11 issues presented, cigarette smoking and folic acid supplementation were rated the most important for PCC counseling; exercise and environmental concerns were the least important.


CONCLUSIONS
Physicians are willing to provide PCC but few patients are accessing such services.
Morgan
Maria A
MA
Research Department, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 409, 12th Street, S.W., Washington, DC, 20024, USA. mmorgan@acog.org
Hawks
Debra
D
Zinberg
Stanley
S
Schulkin
Jay
J
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid; D006176:Gynecology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008429:Maternal Welfare; D008875:Middle Aged; D009774:Obstetrics; D016742:Preconception Care; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012955:Societies, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
D005492:Folic Acid