Landscape Analysis of Breastfeeding-Related Physician Education in the United States

Background: Breastfeeding is the preferred form of infant nutrition supporting optimal health of mothers and children. Research shows that medical training is deficient in preparing physicians to develop the knowledge base, clinical management skills, and attitudes to provide optimal support for breastfeeding families. We developed this project to assess the current gaps in breastfeeding education during medical training for physicians and to inform the plan to address those gaps. Materials and Methods: We conducted key informant interviews with nine professionals representing medical education, physician professional membership organizations, and ancillary stakeholders with an interest in improving physician education and training with respect to breastfeeding. Using those results, we developed and conducted a survey of physicians to identify training in breastfeeding received during medical school, residency/fellowship, and continuing medical education; confidence in managing breastfeeding; and attitudes about breastfeeding training. A total of 816 respondents completed the survey from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Results: Gaps exist in the training of physicians in terms of knowledge base, and clinical skills in breastfeeding support as highlighted through detailed key informant interviews and physician surveys. Physicians surveyed in the disciplines of pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and family medicine indicated a desire to have more breastfeeding education integrated into their training, especially addressing clinical evaluation and management of breastfeeding problems. Conclusion: The landscape analysis demonstrates that medical education in breastfeeding remains inadequate despite previous efforts to address the gaps and that physicians desire more training in breastfeeding, especially clinical skills training, to improve provider confidence and competence. The analysis provides the foundation for further efforts to develop a comprehensive plan to enhance physician education in breastfeeding.

Errataetall:

CommentIn: Breastfeed Med. 2020 Oct;15(10):603-604. - PMID 32846101

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2020

Erschienen:

2020

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:15

Enthalten in:

Breastfeeding medicine : the official journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine - 15(2020), 6 vom: 01. Juni, Seite 401-411

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Meek, Joan Younger [VerfasserIn]
Nelson, Jennifer M [VerfasserIn]
Hanley, Lauren E [VerfasserIn]
Onyema-Melton, Ngozi [VerfasserIn]
Wood, Julie K [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Breastfeeding
Journal Article
Medical education
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Support
Training

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 28.06.2021

Date Revised 29.11.2022

published: Print-Electronic

CommentIn: Breastfeed Med. 2020 Oct;15(10):603-604. - PMID 32846101

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1089/bfm.2019.0263

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM309046645