Affiliation:
1. University of California Davis Sacramento California USA
2. Oregon Health & Science University Portland Oregon USA
3. University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha Nebraska USA
4. Academic Pediatric Association McLean Virginia USA
5. Public Health at Gordon College Wenham Massachusetts USA
6. Department of Pediatrics and Epidemiology and Biostatistics University of California at San Francisco San Francisco California USA
Abstract
AbstractBackgroundPrior research suggests that physicians' personal experience with breastfeeding may influence their attitudes toward breastfeeding. This phenomenon has not been explored in well‐newborn care physician leaders, whose administrative responsibilities often include drafting and approval of hospital breastfeeding and formula supplementation policies.MethodsWe conducted a mixed‐methods study, surveying physicians in the Better Outcomes through Research for Newborns (BORN) network. We examined physician attitudes toward recommending breastfeeding and their breastfeeding experience. Qualitative analysis was conducted on responses to the question: “How do you think your breastfeeding experience influences your clinical practice?”ResultsOf 71 participants, most (92%) had a very positive attitude toward breastfeeding with 75% of respondents reporting personal experience with breastfeeding. Of these, 68% had a very positive experience, 25% had a somewhat positive experience, and 6% had a neutral experience. Four themes emerged with respect to the effect of breastfeeding experience on practice: (1) empathy with breastfeeding struggles, (2) increased knowledge and skills, (3) passion for breastfeeding benefits, and (4) application of personal experience in lieu of evidence‐based medicine, particularly among those who struggled with breastfeeding.ConclusionsWell‐newborn care physician leaders reported positive attitudes about breastfeeding, increased support toward breastfeeding persons, and a perception of improved clinical lactation skills. Those who struggled with breastfeeding reported increased comfort with recommending formula supplementation to their own patients. Medical education about evidence‐based breastfeeding support practices and provision of lactation support to physicians has the potential to affect public health through improved care for the patients they serve.
Funder
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Health Resources and Services Administration
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
Subject
Obstetrics and Gynecology