Counseling regarding pregnancy--related drug exposures by family physicians in Ontario.
BACKGROUND
Family physicians may play a significant role in providing information to their patients on the effects of medication exposure during pregnancy. Women must receive accurate information, as unrealistic perception of teratogenic risk may lead to inadequate treatment of maternal disease or termination of otherwise wanted pregnancies.


OBJECTIVE
To collect data on the current practices of family physicians in providing information regarding pregnancy-related drug exposures, in particular, their confidence in providing counseling and their sources of information.


METHODS
A mailed survey was sent to a random sample of family physicians in Ontario. Outcome measures included the proportion of family physicians that feel confident in providing counseling regarding drugs in pregnancy, most common resources, barriers to counseling and preferences for future educational programs.


RESULTS
Of the 756 surveys, 400 (53%) were returned, 265 (66%) by practicing physicians caring for women of childbearing age. Most (80.3%) felt confident in providing counseling, though a majority (56%) stated that available sources of information are not adequate. The most commonly consulted source was the Motherisk Program (62%). Lack of evidence-based information was cited as the major barrier.


CONCLUSIONS
Although family physicians were confident in providing counseling to pregnant patients with regards to drug use, more than one-half thought that the available sources of information are not adequate. The dissemination of more evidence-based information in this field is needed.
Goodwin
Jodi
J
Department of Paediatrics, Children's Hospital of Western Ontario, Children's Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Rieder
Scott
S
Rieder
Michael J
MJ
Matsui
Doreen
D
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003376:Counseling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004346:Drug Information Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires