Breastfeeding--a framework for educating the primary care medical workforce.

OBJECTIVE

Breastfeeding is an important public health issue with an increase in infant and maternal morbidity and mortality for artificially-fed infants and their mothers. Doctors in primary care can influence mothers' infant feeding decisions, both positively and negatively, depending on the adequacy of their training. As there is no consistent approach to educating doctors in Australia at present, the development of a curriculum outline and educational strategies would be one step towards improving doctors' breastfeeding knowledge.

APPROACH

Studies investigating the breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes and training opportunities of doctors in Australia were reviewed and information pertinent to breastfeeding training of doctors working in primary care obtained. This information, in conjunction with relevant literature, was used to define a breastfeeding knowledge base and identify broader educational strategies applicable for the training of doctors.

CONCLUSION

Australian primary care doctors require further breastfeeding training to be able to provide optimum care for breastfeeding mothers and their infants. This paper formulates a breastfeeding education framework for the training of medical students, junior doctors, GP registrars and GPs.