Measuring self-efficacy in substance abuse intervention in obstetric practices

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Medical Education
• Public Health

Background:

• Substance use during pregnancy poses significant risks to maternal and fetal health.
• Obstetrician self-efficacy in managing substance use is crucial for effective patient care.
• Existing training programs may not adequately address the needs of community-based practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of an office-based obstetrics training program (OBIWOM) on self-efficacy.
• To assess improvements in substance use assessment, management, and referral skills among obstetricians and staff.
• To determine the effectiveness of training in private, community-based obstetric settings.

Main Methods:

• A delayed treatment design was employed with 10 community-based private obstetric practices.
• Participants were randomly assigned to either an immediate intervention group or a delayed (control) group.
• Self-efficacy was measured at baseline and follow-up points.

Main Results:

• The immediate intervention group showed a significant increase in self-efficacy post-training.
• No significant changes in self-efficacy were observed in the delayed (control) group during the same period.
• The training's positive impact on assessment self-efficacy was evident in the delayed group after their intervention.

Conclusions:

• Education and training are effective in enhancing obstetrician and staff self-efficacy.
• The OBIWOM program demonstrates a viable approach to improving substance use management in pregnancy.
• Targeted training can empower healthcare providers in community-based settings to address substance use challenges.