Related Experiment Videos
Australian general practitioners' knowledge, attitudes and practices towards breastfeeding
Orit Holtzman1,2, Tim Usherwood1
1Department of General Practice, Sydney Medical School Westmead, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Plos One
|March 1, 2018
Summary
General practitioners (GPs) show positive attitudes toward breastfeeding but lack sufficient knowledge and training to offer robust support. Many GPs rely on personal experience, highlighting a need for improved professional education and supportive clinic policies.
Area of Science:
- General Practice
- Public Health
- Women's Health
Background:
- Breastfeeding is crucial for infant and maternal health.
- General Practitioners (GPs) play a key role in supporting breastfeeding mothers.
- Existing research indicates a need to understand GPs' perspectives on breastfeeding support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of established general practitioners (GPs) regarding breastfeeding support.
- To identify barriers and facilitators influencing GPs' involvement in promoting breastfeeding.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study involving thematic analysis of interviews with 10 GPs in the Nepean Blue Mountains Health District, Australia.
- Interviews were transcribed and analyzed to identify emergent themes.
Main Results:
- GPs expressed positive attitudes towards breastfeeding but often lacked adequate knowledge and confidence for effective support.
- Most GPs had minimal formal breastfeeding training, relying on personal experience.
- Clinics generally lacked formal breastfeeding support policies, and GPs were not proactive in creating a breastfeeding-friendly environment.
- Some GPs reported ambivalence in encouraging breastfeeding to maintain patient relationships.
Conclusions:
- There is a significant gap between GPs' positive attitudes and their capacity to provide comprehensive breastfeeding support.
- Professional education and the development of breastfeeding-friendly policies in general practices are recommended.
- Addressing these gaps can enhance the role of GPs in promoting and supporting breastfeeding mothers.