Physicians' knowledge of alcohol, tobacco and folic acid in pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To assess: (1) physicians' knowledge and clinical confidence regarding problematic substance use in pregnancy compared to folic acid, and (2) physicians' desire for education in this area and their preferred learning modalitiestools.


METHODS
Self-administered survey.


METHODS
Family Medicine Forum 2004 in Toronto, Canada.


METHODS
Physicians attending Family Medicine Forum 2004 in Toronto who provide antenatal care.


METHODS
Knowledge of folic acid, smoking and alcohol in pregnancy. Clinical confidence and interest in resources regarding problematic substance use in pregnancy.


RESULTS
Sixty-six surveys completed. Physicians answered 92.3% of folic acid questions correctly, compared to 82.0% for nicotine and 57.1% for alcohol. Scores were higher on questions about effects of nicotine and alcohol use in pregnancy than on questions about treatment options. A perceived inability to influence clinical outcomes and a lack of professional resources regarding substance use in pregnancy were also identified. Physicians were interested in learning more about problematic substance use in pregnancy, particularly from continuing medical education events, websites and pocket cards.


CONCLUSIONS
Participants' level of knowledge regarding substance use in pregnancy was significantly lower than their knowledge of folic acid, as was their clinical confidence. This lack of knowledge was not attributable to disinterest and clearly more educational resources are needed to address this topic.
Lefebvre
L G
LG
Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Lisa.Lefebvre@utoronto.ca
Ordean
A
A
Midmer
D
D
Kahan
M
M
Tolomiczenko
G
G
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D000431:Ethanol; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011361:Professional Competence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014026:Nicotiana
D000431:Ethanol; D005492:Folic Acid