title: Gestational diabetes mellitus: an evaluation of gynecologists' knowledge of guidelines and counseling behavior.
abstract: Knowledge of risks, adequate pre- and post-partum care, and counseling is essential to reduce short- and long-term consequences for women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and their offspring. Our study explored the current GDM guideline knowledge and practiced patient counseling of private gynecologists in Germany.
  
  
  
  A survey assessing the GDM guidelines and patient counseling was mailed to 775 practicing gynecologists. We evaluated the knowledge of maternal and offspring disease risks, counseling practice, and guideline awareness. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the responses and Chi-Square or Fisher exact test to explore differences between groups.
  
  
  
  Of the 418 private gynecologists (54.1 % response rate) who responded, the majority was aware of obesity and GDM in the previous pregnancy as risk factors for GDM. To a lesser extent, risk factors like recurrent miscarriages and stillbirth were recalled. Eighty percent stated that GDM was associated with a higher risk for the development for hypertension and 96 % with type 2 diabetes in the mother. Respondents with knowledge of the current GDM guidelines were more often aware of the development of chronic diseases, counseled patients more frequently, and performed post-partum glucose screenings more regularly compared with private gynecologists with no knowledge of the guidelines.
  
  
  
  The majority of participants incorporated recent recommendations into their practice patterns for GDM. Providing private gynecologists with additional training may further improve care for women with GDM-affected pregnancies.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
authors: Sophie
authors: S
authors: Schmitz
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Bachstraße 18, 07740, Jena, Germany.
authors: Tanja
authors: T
authors: Groten
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Bachstraße 18, 07740, Jena, Germany.
authors: Ekkehard
authors: E
authors: Schleussner
authors: Department of Endocrinology, Medical Care Centre, Robert-Weixler-Str. 19, 87439, Kempten, Germany.
authors: Wilgard
authors: W
authors: Battefeld
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Hillemanns
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
authors: Cordula
authors: C
authors: Schippert
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany. vonVersen-Hoynck.Frauke@mh-hannover.de.
authors: Frauke
authors: 0000-0002-1924-5695
authors: F
authors: von Versen-Höynck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003376:Counseling; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006176:Gynecology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Gestational diabetes; Guidelines; Gynecologists; Knowledge