Are the doctors of the future ready to support breastfeeding? A cross-sectional study in the UK. Kirsty V Biggs, Katy J Fidler, Natalie S Shenker, Heather Brown (20 May 2020) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7238622/
Abstract
Background: There are currently no published data on the inclusion of breastfeeding education in the UK medical school curriculum. This study aims to fill this knowledge gap and explore students’ perceptions of their willingness to support breastfeeding.
Results: Curriculum data were obtained from 26 (81%) institutions. Mandatory breastfeeding education was provided by 85% (N = 22) of the institutions, with 81% (n = 21) offering lecture-based instruction and 19% (n = 5) offering formal clinical instruction. A total of 411 students from 22 institutions participated. A moderate ability to identify the benefits of breastfeeding was observed; however, confidence in practical skills was low. Assisting with latching was the skill for which confidence was lowest, with only 3% (14/411) of students confident. Most students (93%) felt that doctors played an important role in breastfeeding, with those interested in women’s health, paediatrics or general practice perceiving the role of doctors to be more important. Overall, 93% (381/411) of students requested further training on breastfeeding.
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.
See also: Landscape Analysis of Breastfeeding-Related Physician Education in the United States. Joan Younger Meek, Jennifer M. Nelson, Lauren E. Hanley, Ngozi Onyema-Melton, and Julie K. Wood 9 Ju 2020 https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2019.0263
Medical training in breastfeeding remains inadequate despite previous efforts to fill the gaps. In addition, physicians want more breastfeeding education, particularly clinical skills training, to improve caregiver confidence and competence, according to an analysis in the journal Breastfeeding Medicine. Joan Younger Meek, MD, MS, of Florida State University College of Medicine, Orlando Regional Campus, and past president of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM), is the lead author of the paper. The researchers surveyed 816 members of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Family Physicians. They found that there are gaps in physician training in terms of the knowledge base and clinical skills for breastfeeding support. Respondents indicated that they would like to see breastfeeding education more fully integrated into their training.