Thyroid disease and pregnancy: degrees of knowledge.
OBJECTIVE
The literature on the impact of thyroid abnormalities on pregnancy and the postpartum has expanded rapidly over the last two decades. The objective of the present study was to determine the level of knowledge of endocrinologists, obstetrician/gynecologists, internists, and family physicians in regard to thyroid disease and pregnancy.


METHODS
A 16-item questionnaire on issues related to thyroid disease and pregnancy was developed. Endocrinologists (n = 116), obstetrician/gynecologists (n = 81), internists (n = 109), and family physicians (n = 99) were asked to complete the questionnaire. Physician self-report of confidence regarding degree of knowledge was obtained through completion of a seven-point Likert scale.


RESULTS
The percentage of questions answered correctly by all physicians was 63%. Endocrinologists had the highest correct response rate (77%), followed by obstetrician/gynecologists. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that medical specialty, years of training, confidence level, and whether or not the physician treated pregnant women were significantly related to the overall score.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study demonstrates a suboptimal level of knowledge regarding thyroid disease and pregnancy among physicians in four specialties. A comprehensive physician education program is needed.
Rinaldi
Marie D
MD
Department of Education, New Jersey Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, USA.
Stagnaro-Green
Alex S
AS
D004704:Endocrinology; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine; D008511:Medicine; D009774:Obstetrics; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D011364:Professional Practice; D013038:Specialization; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000628:therapy*