Are the doctors of the future ready to support breastfeeding? A cross-sectional study in the UK

Abstract

Background: Currently there is no published data on the inclusion of breastfeeding education within the UK medical school curriculum. This study aims to address this knowledge gap and explore students' perceptions of their readiness to support breastfeeding. Methods: An online survey was used to collect data from 32 UK undergraduate medical schools and their students. All students in their final two years of study at the 30 universities offering a 5-or 6-year medicine course, were eligible. Results: Curriculum data was obtained from 26 (81%) institutions. Compulsory breastfeeding education was provided by 85% (N = 22) institutions with 81% (n = 21) providing lecture-based teaching and 19% (n = 5) offering formal clinical education. Overall, 411 students from 22 institutions participated. A moderate ability to identify the benefits of breastfeeding was observed; however, self-rated confidence in practical skills was poor. Assisting with latching was the least confident skill, with confidence in only 3% (14/411) students. Most students (93%) viewed doctors as playing an important role in breastfeeding, with those interested in either women's health, paediatrics or general practice perceiving the role of doctors as more important. Overall, 93% (381/411) students requested further breastfeeding education. Conclusions: This study suggests UK medical schools are not adequately preparing students to support breastfeeding patients. Further studies should explore the competency of doctors to meet the needs of lactating women, and design optimal training for UK medical students.

Breastfeeding perception among Medical students of Islamic International Medical College (IIMC) in relation to COVID-19 pandemic

“…15,16 This percentage was higher in a study conducted by Biggs et al 2 & a study conducted by Ahmed et al 18 both of which reported 90% of students' perception of reducing early childhood infections and 77% of students' perception of reduced risk of DM and obesity in adulthood. 2 72.46% of the students said that breast milk is more easily digested than formula milk as compared to 89% of students in a study conducted by Ahmed et al 18 79.74% of students said that breast milk is an ideal food for a baby which is consistent with a study conducted in India which reported a percentage of 71.4%. 17 Contrary to this, a study conducted by Ahmed et al on nursing students 100% agreed with this.…”

“…It has a crucial role in the growth and development of an infant, with far-reaching implications for both the mother and the child's health. 2 It is hygienic and contains antibodies that help protect children against a variety of infections. It also promotes cognitive development.…”

Advertising of Human Milk Substitutes in United Kingdom Healthcare Professional Publications: An Observational Study

“…HCP have the opportunity to provide information and support to enable the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding. However, the combination of insufficient breastfeeding training and prevalence of HMS advertising in publications may influence the limited understanding of the physiology of breastfeeding for some HCP, leading to the provision of poor-quality information and support for breastfeeding (Biggs et al, 2020; Rothstein et al, 2019). A sense of loyalty and inherent bias resulting from the acceptance of funding or advertising from HMS manufacturers may further impact HCP ability to ensure the information they impart is evidence-based (Costello et al, 2017; Grummer-Strawn et al, 2019; van Tulleken, 2018; Waterston & Wright, 2019).…”

“…The marketing of HMS to healthcare professionals (HCP) who support families with infants contributes to a lack of awareness and understanding about the physiological process of breastfeeding, increases social barriers by normalizing HMS use, and makes breastfeeding an unattainable goal for many women (Grummer-Strawn & Stahlhofer, 2018; Rollins et al, 2016). While many midwives and health visitors in the UK receive training through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) UK Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, some HCP receive limited pre-registration training about breastfeeding (Biggs et al, 2020; World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative, 2016).…”

A needs assessment to explore undergraduate medical students' understanding of nutrition during the first one thousand days of life

“…Nutritional choices during this time have many health consequences which can influence a lifetime (2) . Previous cross sectional, questionnaire-based studies asking medical students focused on only one aspect of nutrition during the first 1,000 days (3) . It is important that medical students are familiar with nutrition recommendations so that they feel confident, as future doctors, supporting parents from preconception through childhood and beyond.…”