Pharmacy, Health Sciences & Exercise Science
Assessing Pharmacists’ Knowledge and Perception on the Safety and Efficacy of Medication Use During Lactation
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Subject Area
Pharmacy, Health Sciences & Exercise Science
Start Date
11-4-2014 10:15 AM
End Date
11-4-2014 11:45 AM
Sponsor
Chad Knoderer (Butler University)
Description
Background: In 2011, the Surgeon General released a Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding among healthcare providers in the United States of America. Currently, the United States consistently falls behind other countries in the number of women breastfeeding, and fails to provide adequate support to mothers who choose to breastfeed their children.
Breastfeeding is both a personal and public health concern. Children who do not breastfeed are at an increased risk for a multitude of health complications. The decision to not breastfeed can also negatively impact the mother, as breastfeeding has been linked to a lower risk of breast cancer and postpartum depression.
Pharmacists, especially those in community settings, are easily accessible and trusted healthcare providers. Because of this, pharmacists are in an excellent position to provide mothers with the resources, support, and care they need in order to promote breastfeeding. However pharmacists, like other healthcare professionals, often lack knowledge about breastfeeding.
Methods: The study was a cross-sectional survey of licensed pharmacists in the state of Indiana, and the survey was distributed through Survey Monkey from November 2013 to February 2014. Survey questions assessed the pharmacists' demographics, perceptions of breastfeeding, knowledge of breastfeeding, and expertise on the use of medications during lactation. Pre-testing was performed in order to assess possible bias, question errors, confusing statements, and thoughts about proceeding with the study. The survey was sent out via email to Butler University APPE and IPPE preceptors and members of the Indiana Pharmacist Alliance.
Results: The majority of participants were females who had children that were breastfed. Pharmacists worked in a hospital or community setting, 26.1% and 43.93%, respectively. Respondents typically had 5-15 years of experience as a licensed pharmacist. A majority believed that children should be breastfed for 6 months (50.88%) to ≥1 year (41.47%), and many felt that any setting was an acceptable place to breastfeed.
Conclusions:We have identified trends within the pharmacy community that showed many participants worked in highly accessible areas, the majority understood that breastfeeding was a healthier option, but many did not feel it was their role to promote breastfeeding. Additionally, there is a need for education as knowledge on medication use in breastfeeding produced variable results.
Assessing Pharmacists’ Knowledge and Perception on the Safety and Efficacy of Medication Use During Lactation
Indianapolis, IN
Background: In 2011, the Surgeon General released a Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding among healthcare providers in the United States of America. Currently, the United States consistently falls behind other countries in the number of women breastfeeding, and fails to provide adequate support to mothers who choose to breastfeed their children.
Breastfeeding is both a personal and public health concern. Children who do not breastfeed are at an increased risk for a multitude of health complications. The decision to not breastfeed can also negatively impact the mother, as breastfeeding has been linked to a lower risk of breast cancer and postpartum depression.
Pharmacists, especially those in community settings, are easily accessible and trusted healthcare providers. Because of this, pharmacists are in an excellent position to provide mothers with the resources, support, and care they need in order to promote breastfeeding. However pharmacists, like other healthcare professionals, often lack knowledge about breastfeeding.
Methods: The study was a cross-sectional survey of licensed pharmacists in the state of Indiana, and the survey was distributed through Survey Monkey from November 2013 to February 2014. Survey questions assessed the pharmacists' demographics, perceptions of breastfeeding, knowledge of breastfeeding, and expertise on the use of medications during lactation. Pre-testing was performed in order to assess possible bias, question errors, confusing statements, and thoughts about proceeding with the study. The survey was sent out via email to Butler University APPE and IPPE preceptors and members of the Indiana Pharmacist Alliance.
Results: The majority of participants were females who had children that were breastfed. Pharmacists worked in a hospital or community setting, 26.1% and 43.93%, respectively. Respondents typically had 5-15 years of experience as a licensed pharmacist. A majority believed that children should be breastfed for 6 months (50.88%) to ≥1 year (41.47%), and many felt that any setting was an acceptable place to breastfeed.
Conclusions:We have identified trends within the pharmacy community that showed many participants worked in highly accessible areas, the majority understood that breastfeeding was a healthier option, but many did not feel it was their role to promote breastfeeding. Additionally, there is a need for education as knowledge on medication use in breastfeeding produced variable results.