Exploring the Feasibility of Utilizing Undergraduate Lactation Education Courses as a Vehicle to Prepare the Future Healthcare Workforce to Educate and Support Breastfeeding Families in the Community

Abstract

BackgroundMinimal lactation knowledge among healthcare professionals has been linked to low breastfeeding rates. To address this problem, one university integrated into its curriculum a lactation education course which aims to provide students from a variety of healthcare related bachelor programs, with the knowledge and skills needed to educate and support breastfeeding families in the community. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of utilizing undergraduate lactation education courses as a vehicle to better prepare the future healthcare work force to educate and support breastfeeding families in the community.MethodsA 62-question survey was administered pre and post course completion to students enrolled in four sections of a lactation course over the 2018/2019 academic year (n = 96).ResultsFindings suggest that pre to post course completion students had significant increases in their: lactation knowledge, confidence delivering lactation education, confidence in working with clients in a professional setting and positive attitude towards breastfeeding.ConclusionsGiven the lack of knowledge among healthcare professionals is a significant barrier to optimal breastfeeding rates, this evaluation study provides evidence that integrating lactation education courses into university curriculum may be an effective strategy for improving breastfeeding rates.