Thyroid disease and pregnancy: degrees of knowledge

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Obstetrics & Gynecology
• Internal Medicine
• Family Medicine

Background:

• Thyroid abnormalities significantly impact pregnancy and postpartum outcomes.
• Recent literature highlights the growing importance of understanding thyroid disease in pregnancy.
• Assessing physician knowledge is crucial for optimizing patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the knowledge level of various medical specialists regarding thyroid disease during pregnancy.
• To identify gaps in physician understanding of thyroid dysfunction in pregnant patients.

Main Methods:

• A 16-item questionnaire was administered to endocrinologists, obstetrician/gynecologists, internists, and family physicians.
• Physician confidence was measured using a seven-point Likert scale.
• Data were analyzed using hierarchical regression.

Main Results:

• Overall, physicians answered 63% of questions correctly, indicating suboptimal knowledge.
• Endocrinologists demonstrated the highest correct response rate (77%).
• Medical specialty, years of training, confidence, and experience with pregnant patients influenced knowledge scores.

Conclusions:

• A significant need exists for comprehensive physician education on thyroid disease and pregnancy.
• Improving physician knowledge is essential for better management of thyroid disorders in pregnant women.
• Targeted educational interventions are recommended for healthcare providers.