 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Joseph Anthony Ogburn, MD1, Eve Espey, MD, MPH2, Kathy Alvarez, MD3, and Larry Leeman, MD3. (1) Department of OB/Gyn, University of New Mexico, 2211 Lomas Blvd. Ne, Albuquerque, NM 87131-5286, 505-272-6383, jogburn@salud.unm.edu, (2) Department of OB-GYN - 4ACC, University of New Mexico, 2211 Lomas Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131, (3) Department of Community and Family Medicine, University of New Mexico, 2211 Lomas Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131
Introduction: Physicians have an obligation to encourage and support women in initiating and continuing breastfeeding. In order to have this positive impact on breastfeeding, all physicians who provide obstetric or newborn care must possess adequate knowledge and skills. The residency training period, a time when practice patterns are established, frequently lacks formal education in breastfeeding. This project, a curriculum for resident physicians at the University of New Mexico, was developed to address the deficiency in formal education about breastfeeding.
Objective: To describe an educational program promoting and supporting breastfeeding, developed for a multi-disciplinary group of resident physicians, based on the Wellstart Lactation Management Curriculum Guide.
Methods: Faculty members from the Departments of Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Family Medicine developed a breastfeeding curriculum for residents. The group included attending physicians and certified nurse midwives. The curriculum includes formal interactive teaching sessions, discussion of breastfeeding issues on daily clinical rounds and visits to individual patients with lactation support personnel. The topics of the formal teaching sessions include anatomy and physiology of breastfeeding, common problems in breastfeeding, common problems in breastfeeding newborns, and promotion and support of breastfeeding. First year residents from the departments of Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Family Medicine are required to participate in the curriculum during their obstetrics or newborn nursery rotations. A survey of all residents who have participated in the curriculum demonstrates highly favorable attitudes.
Conclusion: A multi-disciplinary approach to breastfeeding education is feasible and well received by both teachers and residents.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Breast Feeding, Education
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.