These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Breast-feeding education and practice in family medicine.
    Author: Freed GL, Clark SJ, Curtis P, Sorenson JR.
    Journal: J Fam Pract; 1995 Mar; 40(3):263-9. PubMed ID: 7876784.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Physician support has been shown to increase breast-feeding rates, but anecdotal reports suggest that physicians are ill prepared for their role in breast-feeding promotion. Inadequate breast-feeding education during residency training may be a contributing factor. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire mailed to 1099 family medicine residents and 665 recently board-certified family physicians assessed knowledge, attitudes, education, and activity related to breast-feeding promotion. Response rates were 71% for residents and 58% for physicians. RESULTS: Although residents and physicians were strongly convinced that family physicians should be involved in breast-feeding promotion, both groups demonstrated significant deficits in knowledge about breast-feeding benefits and clinical management strategies. Common errors included inappropriate recommendations for breast-feeding termination or formula supplementation, a proven cause of breast-feeding failure. Personal breast-feeding experience was the only factor consistently associated with more frequent breast-feeding promotion activity among residents and increased self-confidence for both groups. Respondents reported only limited opportunities for developing breast-feeding counseling skills during residency training. CONCLUSIONS: Improved breast-feeding education is needed for family medicine residents and physicians. Residency training and continuing education programs should emphasize the benefits of breast-feeding, clinical management strategies, and development of practical counseling skills.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]